Contributions to the Modelling of Auditory Hallucinations, Social robotics, and Multiagent Systems

165 p.The Thesis covers three diverse lines of work that have been tackled with the central endeavor of modeling and understanding the phenomena under consideration. Firstly, the Thesis works on the problem of finding brain connectivity biomarkers of auditory hallucinations, a rather frequent phenomena that can be related some pathologies, but which is also present in healthy population. We apply machine learning techniques to assess the significance of effective brain connections extracted by either dynamical causal modeling or Granger causality. Secondly, the Thesis deals with the usefulness of social robotics strorytelling as a therapeutic tools for children at risk of exclussion. The Thesis reports on the observations gathered in several therapeutic sessions carried out in Spain and Bulgaria, under the supervision of tutors and caregivers. Thirdly, the Thesis deals with the spatio-temporal dynamic modeling of social agents trying to explain the phenomena of opinion survival of the social minorities. The Thesis proposes a eco-social model endowed with spatial mobility of the agents. Such mobility and the spatial perception of the agents are found to be strong mechanisms explaining opinion propagation and survival

Contributions to the Modelling of Auditory Hallucinations, Social robotics, and Multiagent Systems

165 p.The Thesis covers three diverse lines of work that have been tackled with the central endeavor of modeling and understanding the phenomena under consideration. Firstly, the Thesis works on the problem of finding brain connectivity biomarkers of auditory hallucinations, a rather frequent phenomena that can be related some pathologies, but which is also present in healthy population. We apply machine learning techniques to assess the significance of effective brain connections extracted by either dynamical causal modeling or Granger causality. Secondly, the Thesis deals with the usefulness of social robotics strorytelling as a therapeutic tools for children at risk of exclussion. The Thesis reports on the observations gathered in several therapeutic sessions carried out in Spain and Bulgaria, under the supervision of tutors and caregivers. Thirdly, the Thesis deals with the spatio-temporal dynamic modeling of social agents trying to explain the phenomena of opinion survival of the social minorities. The Thesis proposes a eco-social model endowed with spatial mobility of the agents. Such mobility and the spatial perception of the agents are found to be strong mechanisms explaining opinion propagation and survival

QClick: Sistema móvil de Pregunta-Respuesta en el aula

El uso de las tecnologías en entornos docentes ha sido constante en los últimos años. Sin embargo, en muchos casos esta tecnología se limita a entornos de apoyo a la docencia, siendo muy popular el sistema de gestión del aprendizaje Moodle. Además, el uso más frecuente de estos sistemas es el de simple almacén de recursos bibliográficos (enlaces, apuntes, trasparencias, etc.). Sin embargo la creciente expansión de las tecnologías móviles, con las que los alumnos están cada vez mas familiarizados, no ha sido aprovechada. Estas tecnologías están ya mayoritariamente presente en las aulas, pero a pesar de esto se ha seguido recurriendo a herramientas externas como los dispositivos de respuesta en el aula para suplir carencias comunicativas entre alumnos y docente. Nuestra propuesta pretende modificar y actualizar los modelos educativos presenciales a través de herramientas que faciliten la captura de la información de lo que sucede en el aula. Esta propuesta general se materializa en la aplicación PresenceClick que facilita la captura de información colaborativa entre alumnos y profesores. En particular, nuestro objetivo en este proyecto es desarrollar la herramienta qClick para capturar las interacciones entre profesor-alumnos-profesor; cuando el profesor hace preguntas y cuando los alumnos las responden. Esta herramienta, con todas sus funcionalidades, nace con el propósito de tener una visión más real de los alumnos, tanto en grupo como individualmente y está dirigida a profesores y a los propios alumnos. De esta manera, el docente puede ofrecer un aprendizaje más adaptado e individualizado, aunque los grupos de alumnos sean muy grandes

Selective internal radiation therapy: an effective treatment for hormonal syndromes in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

The hormone secretion in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) causes an important interference in patients' quality of life. We present two cases of pNET metastatic to the liver (a pancreatic endocrine carcinoma with a severe hormonal syndrome and an insulinoma with severe crisis of hypoglycemia and coma) refractory to conventional treatments, which were finally solved with selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), a nonstandard level 1 therapy. We show two examples of an excellent control of symptoms together with a long survival after treatment with SIRT. The evidence supporting the use of this therapy is level 2. Our case reports strongly support the use of SIRT for the severe clinical syndrome in pNET metastatic to the liver and refractory to somatostatin analogs

Разказването като дидактически инструмент за изучаване на ценности чрез използване на социална роботика

Learning is an activity and a skill that, in best cases, is retained during all the duration of one’s life. However, when we refer to teaching it usually refers to the more traditional structure of lectures, which is not always suitable, particularly in the when learning values and other complex concepts. Fortunately, technology offers new opportunities and scenarios to play out in the classroom. This new aids, like social robots, give teachers the freedom to try new or previously not viable options like personalized storytelling which combines traditional narrative, technology and emotions. This form of teaching-learning process helps the students relate and can help them develop active listening, stimulate their creativity and encourage their motivation through the narration of the experiences of the protagonist of the story, as well as achieve a more relaxed and participatory atmosphere in the classroom while working on his linguistics and digital skills, developing his critical spirit, and learning to organize information.This work has been partially supported by the Project No KP-06-N42/4 of the Bulgarian Research Fund

Living with Chronic Illness Scale: International validation through the classic test theory and Rasch analysis among Spanish-speaking populations with long-term conditions

Background: The Living with Chronic Illness (LW-CI) Scale is a comprehensive patient-reported outcome measure that evaluates the complex process of living with long-term conditions. Objective: This study aimed to analyse the psychometric properties of the LW-CI scale according to the classic test theory and the Rasch model among individuals living with different long-term conditions. Design: This was an observational, international and cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 2753 people from six Spanish-speaking countries living with type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic heart failure, Parkinson's disease, hypertension and osteoarthritis were included. The acceptability, internal consistency and validity of the LW-CI scale were analysed using the classical test theory, and fit to the model, unidimensionality, person separation index, item local independency and differential item functioning were analysed using the Rasch model. Results: Cronbach's α for the LW-CI scale was .91, and correlation values for all domains of the LW-CI scale ranged from .62 to .68, except for Domain 1, which showed correlation coefficients less than .30. The LW-CI domains showed a good fit to the Rasch model, with unidimensionality, item local independency and moderate reliability providing scores in a true interval scale. Except for two items, the LW-CI scale was free from bias by long-term condition type. Discussion: After some adjustments, the LW-CI scale is a reliable and valid measure showing a good fit to the Rasch model and is ready for use in research and clinical practice. Future implementation studies are suggested. Patient and Public Contribution: Patient and public involvement was conducted before this validation study - in the pilot study phase.Ministry of Science, Innovation and University, Spanish Government; FEDER/ Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades – Agencia Estatal de Investigación/ Proyecto, Grant/Award Number: CSO2017–82691‐RS

Implementation of the BIM Methodology in the Architecture Degree: Experience of the Architecture School of San Sebastian

[EN] The emergence of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology in the design, generation, maintenance and data management of any type of building has meant the most important advance in decades in the construction sector. Moreover, current European and Spanish regulations require its mandatory use. In this context, the university degree studies related to construction must challenge this new reality. The aim of the project conducted in the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) School of Architecture of San Sebastian, is the implementation of the BIM methodology in its Architecture Degree. The intention of this research is to implement the BIM methodology without subtracting competencies or content from the current Syllabus. This methodology should be gradually integrated into the different courses and intertwined with the contents of different subjects, in order to train Architecture graduates on BIM and preparing them to join a professional market that demands this knowledge. The purpose of this communication is to report the current status and the level of development of this study.Uranga, E.; Leon, I.; Alberdi, A.; Otaduy, JP.; Azcona, L.; Etxepare, L.; Lizundia, I.... (2021). Implementation of the BIM Methodology in the Architecture Degree: Experience of the Architecture School of San Sebastian. En 7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'21). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 687-694. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd21.2021.13015OCS68769

The Y chromosome of autochthonous Basque populations and the Bronze Age replacement

Here we report on the Y haplogroup and Y-STR diversity of the three autochthonous Basque populations of Alava (n=54), Guipuzcoa (n=30) and Vizcaya (n=61). The same samples genotyped for Y-chromosome SNPs were typed for 17 Y-STR loci (DYS19, DYS385a/b, DYS398I/II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, Y-GATA H4) using the AmpFlSTR Yfiler system. Six major haplogroups (R, I, E, J, G, and DE) were detected, being R-S116 (P312) haplogroup the most abundant at 75.0% in Alava, 86.7% in Guipuzcoa and 87.3% in Vizcaya. Age estimates for the R-S116 mutation in the Basque Country are 3975±303, 3680±345 and 4553±285years for Alava, Guipuzcoa and Vizcaya, respectively. Pairwise Rst genetic distances demonstrated close Y-chromosome affinities among the three autochthonous Basque populations and between them and the male population of Ireland and Gascony. In a MDS plot, the population of Ireland segregates within the Basque cluster and closest to the population of Guipuzcoa, which plots closer to Ireland than to any of the other Basque populations. Overall, the results support the notion that during the Bronze Age a dispersal of individuals carrying the R-S116 mutation reached the Basque Country replacing the Paleolithic/Neolithic Y chromosome of the region