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This article explores how the modeling of energy systems may lead to an undue closure of alternatives by generating an excess of certainty around some of the possible policy options. We retrospectively exemplify the problem with the case of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) global modeling in the 1980s. We discuss different methodologies for quality assessment that may help mitigate this issue, which include Numeral Unit Spread Assessment Pedigree (NUSAP), diagnostic diagrams, and sensitivity auditing (SAUD). We illustrate the potential of these reflexive modeling practices in energy policy-making with three additional cases: (i) the case of the energy system modeling environment (ESME) for the creation of UK energy policy; (ii) the negative emission technologies (NETs) uptake in integrated assessment models (IAMs); and (iii) the ecological footprint indicator. We encourage modelers to adopt these approaches to achieve more robust, defensible, and inclusive modeling activities in the field of energy research.

This final degree project has investigated the feasibility of an object detection system using the YOLOv7 algorithm and the LabelImg labelling tool. The main objective was to analyse how this technology can be applied to object detection in airport environments. Despite practical limitations due to adverse weather conditions that prevented sufficient data collection, a comprehensive theoretical analysis has been conducted. The project initially planned to use drones for image capture, leveraging their unique perspectives. However, operational and safety restrictions led to the exploration of alternative methods such as static cameras for data acquisition. These alternatives can offer greater robustness and efficiency to the detection system. The theoretical study focused on the configuration and training of the YOLOv7 model, highlighting its ability to process images in real-time with high accuracy. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of high-quality labelled data, which is essential for obtaining a valid object detection model, from the initial to subsequent iterations to perfect the model. Throughout the project, the use of Roboflow for dataset management was considered due to its use in a previous practice, but LabelImg was ultimately chosen due to the tutor's familiarity with this tool. Despite not being able to carry out the practical part of the project on a large scale, the theoretical results obtained provide a solid foundation for future research. This work represents a theoretical contribution to the field of computer vision, offering a clear guide on how to approach the implementation of YOLOv7 in a real environment and highlighting the necessary technical considerations. Although no debris detection system has been implemented in any Schengen country, EASA has already highlighted this use case of artificial intelligence in its latest AI Roadmap for Aviation. A similar project, scaled appropriately and with the necessary resources, could represent, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i Infraestructura

Opuntia ficus-indica fruits have been widely used due to their nutritional composition and beneficial effects on health, particularly against chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, among others. In recent years, prickly pear peel and pulp extracts have been characterised, and a high number of bioactive compounds have been identified. This study aimed to analyse the triglyceride-lowering effect of prickly pear peel and pulp extracts obtained from fruits of three varieties (Pelota, Sanguinos, and Colorada) in 3T3-L1 maturing and mature adipocytes. At a concentration of 50 µg/mL, peel extracts from Colorada reduced triglyceride accumulation in pre-adipocytes and mature adipocytes. Additionally, at 25 µg/mL, Pelota peel extract decreased triglyceride content in mature adipocytes. Moreover, maturing pre-adipocytes treated with 50 and 25 µg/mL of Sanguinos pulp extract showed a reduction of triglyceride accumulation. In addition, the lipid-lowering effect of the main individual betalain and phenolic compounds standards were assayed. Piscidic acid and isorhamnetin glycoside (IG2), found in Colorada peel extract, were identified as the bioactive compounds that could contribute more notably to the triglyceride-lowering effect of the extract. Thus, the betalain and phenolic-rich extracts from Opuntia ficus indica fruits may serve as an effective tool in obesity management.

Marine algae are valuable sources of bioactive compounds that have the potential to be used in the management of various pathologies. Despite the increasing prevalence of NAFLD, the absence of an approved effective pharmacological treatment with demonstrable effectiveness persists. In this context, the aim of the present study is to assess the effect of Gracilaria vermiculophylla red seaweed dietary supplementation on hepatic lipid accumulation, as well as on oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis- related markers on obese fa/fa Zucker rats fed with a standard diet, supplemented or not with 2.5% or 5% dehydrated Gracilaria vermiculophylla. After a six-week supplementation with the macroalga, no significant reduction in hepatic total lipid content or hepatic triglyceride content was observed. However, both doses were able to diminish hepatic NEFA concentration by reducing de novo lipogenesis and increasing mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, supplementation with the dose of 2.5% improved some oxidative stress and inflammation-related markers. Supplementation with the dose of 5% did not exert these clear beneficial effects. Thus, this study demonstrates that while Gracilaria vermiculophylla may not mitigate hepatic steatosis, it could exert protective effects on the liver by reducing NEFA content and enhancing oxidative stress and inflammation parameters.

Context With age, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism rises. However, incidence and determinants of spontaneous normalization remain largely unknown. Objective To investigate incidence and determinants of spontaneous normalization of TSH levels in older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism. Design Pooled data were used from the (1) pretrial population and (2) in-trial placebo group from 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (Thyroid Hormone Replacement for Untreated Older Adults With Subclinical Hypothyroidism Trial and Institute for Evidence-Based Medicine in Old Age thyroid 80-plus thyroid trial). Setting Community-dwelling 65+ adults with subclinical hypothyroidism from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Participants The pretrial population (N = 2335) consisted of older adults with biochemical subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as ≥1 elevated TSH measurement (≥4.60 mIU/L) and a free T4 within the laboratory-specific reference range. Individuals with persistent subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as ≥2 elevated TSH measurements ≥3 months apart, were randomized to levothyroxine/placebo, of which the in-trial placebo group (N = 361) was included. Main Outcome Measures Incidence of spontaneous normalization of TSH levels and associations between participant characteristics and normalization. Results In the pretrial phase, TSH levels normalized in 60.8% of participants in a median follow-up of 1 year. In the in-trial phase, levels normalized in 39.9% of participants after 1 year of follow-up. Younger age, female sex, lower initial TSH level, higher initial free T4 level, absence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and a follow-up measurement in summer were independent determinants for normalization. Conclusion Because TSH levels spontaneously normalized in a large proportion of older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism, CONTEXT: With age, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism rises. However, incidence and determinants of spontaneous normalization remain largely unknown.OBJECTIVE: To investigate incidence and determinants of spontaneous normalization of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism.DESIGN: Pooled data were used from the (i) pre-trial population, and (ii) in-trial placebo group from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (TRUST and IEMO thyroid 80-plus thyroid trial).SETTING: Community-dwelling 65 + adults with subclinical hypothyroidism from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.PARTICIPANTS: The pre-trial population (N = 2335) consisted of older adults with biochemical subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as ≥1 elevated TSH measurement (≥4.60 mIU/L) and a free thyroxine (fT4) within the laboratory-specific reference range. Individuals with persistent subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as ≥2 elevated TSH measurements ≥3 months apart, were randomized to levothyroxine/placebo, of which the in-trial placebo group (N = 361) was included.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of spontaneous normalization of TSH levels and associations between participant characteristics and normalization.RESULTS: In the pre-trial phase, TSH levels normalized in 60.8% of participants in a median follow-up of one year. In the in-trial phase, levels normalized in 39.9% of participants after one year follow-up. Younger age, female sex, lower initial TSH level, higher initial fT4 level, absence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and a follow-up measurement in summer were independent determinants for normalization.CONCLUSIONS: Since TSH levels spontaneously normalized in a large proportion of older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism (also after confirmation by repeat measurement), a third measurement may be recommended before considering treatment.