Showing papers by "Pompeu Fabra University published in 2022"
TL;DR: An algorithm for producing a fair top- k ranking that can be used when more than one protected group is present, which means that a statistical test based on a multinomial distribution needs to be used instead of one for a binomial distribution, as the original FA*IR algorithms does.
Abstract: Ranking items or people is a fundamental operation at the basis of several processes and services, not all of them happening online. Ranking is required for different tasks, including search, personalization, recommendation, and filtering. While traditionally ranking has been aimed solely at maximizing some global utility function, recently the awareness of potential discrimination for some of the elements to rank, has captured the attention of researchers, which have thus started devising ranking systems which are non-discriminatory or fair for the items being ranked. So far, researchers have mostly focused on group fairness, which is usually expressed in the form of constraints on the fraction of elements from some protected groups that should be included in the top- k positions, for any relevant k . These constraints are needed in order to correct implicit societal biases existing in the input data and reflected in the relevance or fitness score computed. In this article, we tackle the problem of selecting a subset of k individuals from a pool of n ≫ k candidates, maximizing global utility (i.e., selecting the “best” candidates) while respecting given group-fairness criteria. In particular, to tackle this Fair Top- k Ranking problem, we adopt a ranked group-fairness definition which extends the standard notion of group fairness based on protected groups, by ensuring that the proportion of protected candidates in every prefix of the top- k ranking remains statistically above, or indistinguishable from, a given minimum threshold. Our notion of utility requires, intuitively, that every individual included in the top- k should be more qualified than every candidate not included; and that for every pair of candidates in the top- k , the more qualified candidate should be ranked above. The main contribution of this paper is an algorithm for producing a fair top- k ranking that can be used when more than one protected group is present, which means that a statistical test based on a multinomial distribution needs to be used instead of one for a binomial distribution, as the original FA*IR algorithms does. This poses important technical challenges and increases both the space and time complexity of the re-ranking algorithm. Our experimental assessment on real-world datasets shows that our approach yields small distortions with respect to rankings that maximize utility without considering our fairness criteria.
27 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, Servet et al. presented a study that used the CERCA Programme and the Generalitat de Catalunya (GIDU) to support the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2019-2023” Programme (CEX2018000806-S).
13 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors used data from 11 surveys conducted with representative samples of the adult populations of a group of liberal democratic countries, part of the Comparative National Elections Project, to look at how people's level of ideological extremism and their perceptions of ideological polarization in their countries' party systems are related with their support for democracy.
Abstract: Abstract Does ideological polarization undermine or strengthen people’s principled support for democracy? In this study, we suggest that different manifestations of ideological polarization have different implications in this respect. Using data from 11 surveys conducted with representative samples of the adult populations of a group of liberal democratic countries, part of the Comparative National Elections Project, we look at how people’s level of ideological extremism and their perceptions of ideological polarization in their countries’ party systems are related with their support for democracy. We show that citizens who hold more extreme ideological positions are indeed less supportive of democracy and that such a negative relationship is strengthened as citizens’ extremism increases. However, we also show that the citizens who display higher levels of principled support for democracy are those who perceive parties to be neither too distant nor too close to each other in ideological terms. In other words, while a very polarized partisan supply seems to undermine popular commitment with democracy, very low polarization may have similar consequences.
12 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that othering is central to the government of climate change, and that, by legitimising and depoliticizing such interventions, and by suspending responsibility for their unwanted or even deadly impacts, othering helps to preserve existing relations of racial, patriarchal and class domination in the face of climate-induced social upheavals.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors examined the implementation of social robots in real-world settings during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that social robot adoption during this period was strongly related to the use of this technology for crisis management.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors demonstrate that sedimentation rate is a highly variable and evolvable trait affected by at least two distinct physical mechanisms: incomplete cellular separation after cell division and increased size and density.
Abstract: Significant increases in sedimentation rate accompany the evolution of multicellularity. These increases should lead to rapid changes in ecological distribution, thereby affecting the costs and benefits of multicellularity and its likelihood to evolve. However, how genetic and cellular traits control this process, their likelihood of emergence over evolutionary timescales, and the variation in these traits as multicellularity evolves are still poorly understood. Here, using isolates of the ichthyosporean genus Sphaeroforma-close unicellular relatives of animals with brief transient multicellular life stages-we demonstrate that sedimentation rate is a highly variable and evolvable trait affected by at least 2 distinct physical mechanisms. First, we find extensive (>300×) variation in sedimentation rates for different Sphaeroforma species, mainly driven by size and density during the unicellular-to-multicellular life cycle transition. Second, using experimental evolution with sedimentation rate as a focal trait, we readily obtained, for the first time, fast settling and multicellular Sphaeroforma arctica isolates. Quantitative microscopy showed that increased sedimentation rates most often arose by incomplete cellular separation after cell division, leading to clonal "clumping" multicellular variants with increased size and density. Strikingly, density increases also arose by an acceleration of the nuclear doubling time relative to cell size. Similar size- and density-affecting phenotypes were observed in 4 additional species from the Sphaeroforma genus, suggesting that variation in these traits might be widespread in the marine habitat. By resequencing evolved isolates to high genomic coverage, we identified mutations in regulators of cytokinesis, plasma membrane remodeling, and chromatin condensation that may contribute to both clump formation and the increase in the nuclear number-to-volume ratio. Taken together, this study illustrates how extensive cellular control of density and size drive sedimentation rate variation, likely shaping the onset and further evolution of multicellularity.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors identify benchmark cutoffs for many outcome parameters for robotic distal pancreatectomy (DP) with or without splenectomy beyond the learning curve.
Abstract: Robotic distal pancreatectomy (DP) is an emerging attractive approach, but its role compared to laparoscopic or open surgery remains unclear. Benchmark values are novel and objective tools for such comparisons. The aim of this study was to identify benchmark cutoffs for many outcome parameters for DP with or without splenectomy beyond the learning curve.This study analyzed outcomes from international expert centers from patients undergoing robotic DP for malignant or benign lesions. After excluding the first 10 cases in each center to reduce the effect of the learning curve, consecutive patients were included from the start of robotic DP up to June 2020. Benchmark patients had no significant comorbidities. Benchmark cutoff values were derived from the 75 th or the 25 th percentile of the median values of all benchmark centers. Benchmark values were compared to a laparoscopic control group from four high-volume centers and published open DP landmark series.Sixteen centers contributed 755 cases, whereof 345 benchmark patients (46%) were included the analysis. Benchmark cut-offs included: operation time ≤300min, conversion rate ≤3%, clinically relevant POPF ≤32%, 3 months major complication rate ≤26.7% and lymph node retrieval ≥9. The CCI ® at 3 months was ≤8.7 without deterioration thereafter. Compared to robotic DP, laparoscopy had significantly higher conversion rates (5x) and overall complications, while open DP was associated with more blood loss and longer hospital stay.This first benchmark study demonstrates that robotic DP provides superior postoperative outcomes compared to laparoscopic and open DP. Robotic DP may be expected to become the approach of choice in minimally invasive DP.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a LC-MS/MS method for quantification of 20 endogenous R-COOH belonging to different pathways such as kynurenine metabolism, serotoninergic pathway, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, dopamine pathway, short chain fatty acids and glycine metabolism.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the effects and mechanisms of action of cannabidiol in rodent operant models of extinction-based abstinence and drug-seeking relapse were investigated, and the results reveal a series of complex CB1-related changes with a varying impact on the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior that could limit its therapeutic applications.
Abstract: No pharmacological treatments are yet approved for patients with cocaine use disorders. Cannabidiol, a constituent of the C. sativa plant has shown promising results in rodent models of drug addiction. However, the specific effects and mechanisms of action of cannabidiol in rodent operant models of extinction-based abstinence and drug-seeking relapse remain unclear. Cannabidiol (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected during extinction training to male CD-1 mice previously trained to self-administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg/infusion). Then, we evaluated the reinstatement of cocaine seeking induced by cues and stressful stimuli (footshock). We found that cannabidiol (10 and 20 mg/kg) did not modulate extinction learning. After cannabidiol 20 mg/kg treatment, increased levels of CB1 receptor protein were found in the prelimbic and orbitofrontal regions of the prefrontal cortex, and in the ventral striatum; an effect paralleled by a reduction of striatal ∆FosB accumulation and an increment of GluR2 AMPA receptor subunits. Furthermore, cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking was attenuated by cannabidiol. Unexpectedly, cannabidiol 20 mg/kg facilitated stress-induced restoration of cocaine-seeking behaviour. To ascertain the participation of CB1 receptors in these behavioural changes, we administered the CB1 antagonist AM4113 (5 mg/kg) before each reinstatement session. Both, the attenuation of cue-induced reinstatement and the facilitation of stress-induced reestablishment were abolished by AM4113 in cannabidiol 20 mg/kg-treated mice. Our results reveal a series of complex CB1-related changes induced by cannabidiol with a varying impact on the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour that could limit its therapeutic applications.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the relationship between AC and its knowledge dimensions is revisited, and it is shown that AC is an ability, developed cumulatively through a sequence of knowledge processes.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects and mechanisms of action of cannabidiol in rodent operant models of extinction-based abstinence and drug-seeking relapse were investigated, and the results reveal a series of complex CB1-related changes with a varying impact on the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior that could limit its therapeutic applications.
Abstract: No pharmacological treatments are yet approved for patients with cocaine use disorders. Cannabidiol, a constituent of the C. sativa plant has shown promising results in rodent models of drug addiction. However, the specific effects and mechanisms of action of cannabidiol in rodent operant models of extinction-based abstinence and drug-seeking relapse remain unclear. Cannabidiol (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected during extinction training to male CD-1 mice previously trained to self-administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg/infusion). Then, we evaluated the reinstatement of cocaine seeking induced by cues and stressful stimuli (footshock). We found that cannabidiol (10 and 20 mg/kg) did not modulate extinction learning. After cannabidiol 20 mg/kg treatment, increased levels of CB1 receptor protein were found in the prelimbic and orbitofrontal regions of the prefrontal cortex, and in the ventral striatum; an effect paralleled by a reduction of striatal ∆FosB accumulation and an increment of GluR2 AMPA receptor subunits. Furthermore, cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking was attenuated by cannabidiol. Unexpectedly, cannabidiol 20 mg/kg facilitated stress-induced restoration of cocaine-seeking behaviour. To ascertain the participation of CB1 receptors in these behavioural changes, we administered the CB1 antagonist AM4113 (5 mg/kg) before each reinstatement session. Both, the attenuation of cue-induced reinstatement and the facilitation of stress-induced reestablishment were abolished by AM4113 in cannabidiol 20 mg/kg-treated mice. Our results reveal a series of complex CB1-related changes induced by cannabidiol with a varying impact on the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour that could limit its therapeutic applications.
TL;DR: In this paper , a model-free approach based on Kuramoto's turbulence framework using coupled oscillators was used to identify the levels of synchrony of the underlying dynamics of a given brain state.
Abstract: Abstract Significant advances have been made by identifying the levels of synchrony of the underlying dynamics of a given brain state. This research has demonstrated that non-conscious dynamics tend to be more synchronous than in conscious states, which are more asynchronous. Here we go beyond this dichotomy to demonstrate that different brain states are underpinned by dissociable spatiotemporal dynamics. We investigated human neuroimaging data from different brain states (resting state, meditation, deep sleep and disorders of consciousness after coma). The model-free approach was based on Kuramoto’s turbulence framework using coupled oscillators. This was extended by a measure of the information cascade across spatial scales. Complementarily, the model-based approach used exhaustive in silico perturbations of whole-brain models fitted to these measures. This allowed studying of the information encoding capabilities in given brain states. Overall, this framework demonstrates that elements from turbulence theory provide excellent tools for describing and differentiating between brain states.
TL;DR: In this article, the long-term effects of early restraint stress and intermittent alcohol exposure (intragastric administration of 3g/kg ethanol; 4 days/week for 4 weeks during adolescence) on anxiety-like behavior and the expression of signaling systems associated with emotional behaviors were investigated.
Abstract: Background Stressful episodes and high alcohol consumption during adolescence are considered major risk factors for the development of psychiatric disorders in adulthood. Identification of mechanisms underlying these early events, which enhanced vulnerability to mental illness, is essential for both their prevention and treatment. Methods Male Wistar rats were used to investigate the long-term effects of early restraint stress and intermittent alcohol exposure (intragastric administration of 3 g/kg ethanol; 4 days/week for 4 weeks during adolescence) on anxiety-like behavior and the expression of signaling systems associated with emotional behaviors [e.g., corticosterone, fatty acid-derived molecules and endocannabinoid enzymes, glutamate receptor subunits, corticotropin releasing hormone receptors (CRHR1 and CRHR2) and neuropeptide Y receptors (NPY1R and NPYR2)] in the blood and amygdala. Results Overall, both stress and alcohol exposure during adolescence induced anxiogenic-like behaviors, increased plasma levels of corticosterone and increases in the amygdalar expression of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor and certain subunits of glutamate receptors (i.e., mGluR1, mGluR5 and NMDAR1) in young adult rats. In addition, there were specific main effects of alcohol exposure on the expression of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and NPY2R in the amygdala, and significant increases were observed in rats exposed to alcohol. Interestingly, there were significant interaction effects between restraint stress and alcohol exposure on the expression of plasma 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), and both CRHR1,2 and NPY1R in the amygdala. Thus, the restraint stress was associated with increased 2-AG levels, which was not observed in rats exposed to alcohol. The alcohol exposure was associated with an increased expression of CRHR1,2 but the restraint stress prevented these increases (stress alcohol rats). In contrast, NPY1R was only increased in rats exposed to stress and alcohol. Finally, we did not observe any potentiation of the behavioral and molecular effects by the combination of stress and alcohol, which is concordant with an overall ceiling effect on some of the variables. Conclusion Separate and combined early stress and alcohol induced a common anxious phenotype with increased corticosterone in adulthood. However, there were differences in the amygdalar expression of signaling systems involved in maladaptive changes in emotional behavior. Therefore, our results suggest the existence of partially different mechanisms for stress and alcohol exposures.
University of Valencia1, University of Bristol2, Karolinska Institutet3, Hokkaido University4, Université Paris-Saclay5, Kangwon National University6, Harvard University7, University of Michigan8, Norwegian Institute of Public Health9, UPRRP College of Natural Sciences10, Pompeu Fabra University11, University of Montpellier12, Johns Hopkins University13, University of Crete14
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined associations between prenatal MeHg exposure and levels of cord blood DNA methylation (DNAm) by meta-analysis in up to seven independent studies (n = 1462) as well as persistence of those relationships in blood from 7 to 8 year-old children.
TL;DR: This article found that vegetarians and vegans are hesitant to express their meat-free preferences during social interactions with meat-eaters, and that veg*an participants went against the majority, and did sign the petition.
TL;DR: Sourcing from competitors fosters the innovation performance of firms with financial constraints and has a non-linear negative impact on large and small firms receiving such financial support, and that sourcing from competitors is much riskier for small firms in this category.
TL;DR: In this paper, a curriculum learning approach was proposed for the automatic classification of proximal femur fractures from X-ray images, where three curriculum strategies were used: individually weighting training samples, reordering the training set, and sampling subsets of data.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the role of Club cell secretory protein (CC16) as a potential mediator in this association and found no statistically significant associations between pre- or postnatal air pollution and CC16 at age 4.
TL;DR: In this article , the effects of maternal separation with early weaning (MSEW) on brain oxidative metabolism in both nucleus accumbens and amygdalar complex measured by cytochrome c oxidase quantitative histochemistry were investigated.
Abstract: Gender is considered as a pivotal determinant of mental health. Indeed, several psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression are more common and persistent in women than in men. In the past two decades, impaired brain energy metabolism has been highlighted as a risk factor for the development of these psychiatric disorders. However, comprehensive behavioural and neurobiological studies in brain regions relevant to anxiety and depression symptomatology are scarce. In the present study, we summarize findings describing cannabidiol effects on anxiety and depression in maternally separated female mice as a well-established rodent model of early-life stress associated with many mental disorders. Our results indicate that cannabidiol could prevent anxiolytic- and depressive-related behaviour in early-life stressed female mice. Additionally, maternal separation with early weaning (MSEW) caused long-term changes in brain oxidative metabolism in both nucleus accumbens and amygdalar complex measured by cytochrome c oxidase quantitative histochemistry. However, cannabidiol treatment could not revert brain oxidative metabolism impairment. Moreover, we identified hyperphosphorylation of mTOR and ERK 1/2 proteins in the amygdala but not in the striatum, that could also reflect altered brain intracellular signalling related with to bioenergetic impairment. Altogether, our study supports the hypothesis that MSEW induces profound long-lasting molecular changes in mTOR signalling and brain energy metabolism related to depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviours in female mice, which were partially ameliorated by CBD administration.
TL;DR: In this paper, the relationship between air pollution, road traffic noise, temperature, and distance to blue/green spaces and respiratory-specific HRQL in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients was investigated.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the accuracy of deep learning and classical machine learning for CMR view classification and identified potential pitfalls during training and testing of the algorithms, and concluded that DL outperformed ML when classifying images with complex heart anatomy.
TL;DR: In this article , the authors have genotyped the 58 STRs (27 autosomal, 24 Y-STRs and 7 X-STR) and 94 SNPs in Illumina ForenSeq™ Primer Mix A in a sample of 248 men and 143 women from El Salvador, Central America.
Abstract: We have genotyped the 58 STRs (27 autosomal, 24 Y-STRs and 7 X-STRs) and 94 autosomal SNPs in Illumina ForenSeq™ Primer Mix A in a sample of 248 men and 143 women from El Salvador, Central America. Regional division (Centro, Oriente, Occidente) showed in almost all cases FST values not significantly different from 0, and further analyses were applied only to the undivided, country-wide population. The overall random match probability (RMP) decreased from 6.79 × 10-31 in length-based genotypes in the 27 autosomal STRs to 1.47 × 10-34 in repeat-sequence based genotypes. Combining the autosomal loci in this set, RMP reaches 2.97 × 10-70. In a population genetic analysis, El Salvador showed the lowest FST values with US Hispanics both for autosomal and X-STRs; however, it was much closer to Native Americans for the latter than for the former, in accordance with the well-known gender-biased admixture that created most Latin American populations.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated whether lifelong exposure to residential surrounding greenspace is associated with premenstrual syndrome and whether such an association is mediated by BMI, air pollution or physical activity.
TL;DR: Nano3P-seq as discussed by the authors is a method that relies on nanopore cDNA sequencing to simultaneously quantify RNA abundance, tail composition, and tail length dynamics at per-read resolution.
Abstract: RNA polyadenylation plays a central role in RNA maturation, fate, and stability. In response to developmental cues, polyA tail lengths can vary, affecting the translation efficiency and stability of mRNAs. Here we develop Nanopore 3' end-capture sequencing (Nano3P-seq), a method that relies on nanopore cDNA sequencing to simultaneously quantify RNA abundance, tail composition, and tail length dynamics at per-read resolution. By employing a template-switching-based sequencing protocol, Nano3P-seq can sequence RNA molecule from its 3' end, regardless of its polyadenylation status, without the need for PCR amplification or ligation of RNA adapters. We demonstrate that Nano3P-seq provides quantitative estimates of RNA abundance and tail lengths, and captures a wide diversity of RNA biotypes. We find that, in addition to mRNA and long non-coding RNA, polyA tails can be identified in 16S mitochondrial ribosomal RNA in both mouse and zebrafish models. Moreover, we show that mRNA tail lengths are dynamically regulated during vertebrate embryogenesis at an isoform-specific level, correlating with mRNA decay. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of Nano3P-seq in capturing non-A bases within polyA tails of various lengths, and reveal their distribution during vertebrate embryogenesis. Overall, Nano3P-seq is a simple and robust method for accurately estimating transcript levels, tail lengths, and tail composition heterogeneity in individual reads, with minimal library preparation biases, both in the coding and non-coding transcriptome.
TL;DR: In this article, Fatty acid profiles of Carcinus maenas megalopae were analyzed during four larval supply events in two consecutive years to better understand the variability in their nutritional state at settlement.
TL;DR: This article found a correlation between the individual frequency of alpha oscillations in the occipital cortex and perceptual alternation rates experienced during binocular rivalry and showed that regulating endogenous brain activity via rhythmic entrainment and arrhythmic stimulation produced corresponding changes in perceptual alternations rate.
TL;DR: A review of the main types of T-cell malignancies and their specific characteristics, emphasizing recent advances at the cellular and molecular levels as well as differences and commonalities among them, is presented in this paper .
10 Jan 2022
TL;DR: Self-managed abortion is a common self-care practice that enables pregnant women to exercise their rights to health, bodily autonomy and to benefit from the advances of science even when living in...
Abstract: Self-managed abortion is a common self-care practice that enables pregnant people to exercise their rights to health, bodily autonomy and to benefit from the advances of science even when living in...
TL;DR: In this article , the effect of exposure to extreme cold and hot temperatures on seeking medical attention due to motorcycle crashes was evaluated by using medical attendance for motorcycle crashes from March 2011 to June 2017.
Abstract: Extreme temperature could affect traffic crashes by influencing road safety, vehicle performance, and drivers' behavior and abilities. Studies evaluating the impacts of extreme temperatures on the risk of traffic crashes have mainly overlooked the potential role of vehicle air conditioners. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the effect of exposure to extreme cold and hot temperatures on seeking medical attention due to motorcycle crashes. The study was conducted in Iran by using medical attendance for motorcycle crashes from March 2011 to June 2017. Data on daily minimum, mean and maximum temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), wind velocity (km/h), and precipitation (mm/day) were collected. We developed semi-parametric generalized additive models following a quasi-Poisson distribution with the distributed nonlinear lag model to estimate the immediate and lagged associations (reported as relative risk [RR], and 95% confidence interval [CI]). Between March 2011 and June 2017, 36,079 medical attendances due to motorcycle road traffic crashes were recorded (15.8 ± 5.92 victims per day). In this time period, the recorded temperature ranged from -11.2 to 45.4 °C (average: 25.5 ± 11.0 °C). We found an increased risk of medical attendance for motorcycle crashes (based on maximum daily temperature) at both extremely cold (1st percentile) and hot (99th percentile) temperatures and also hot (75th percentile) temperatures, mainly during lags 0 to 3 days (e.g., RR: 1.12 [95% CI: 1.05: 1.20]; RR: 1.08 [95% CI: 1.01: 1.16]; RR: 1.20 [95% CI: 1.09: 1.32] at lag0 for extremely cold, hot, and extremely hot conditions, respectively). The risk estimates for extremely hot temperatures were larger than hot and extremely cold temperatures. We estimated that 11.01% (95% CI: 7.77:14.06) of the medical attendance for motorcycle crashes is estimated to be attributable to non-optimal temperature (using mean temperature as exposure variable). Our findings have important public health messaging, given the considerable burden associated with road traffic injury, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
01 Mar 2022
TL;DR: This article explored the capacity of a speech-based conversational agent coach (CAC) to deliver a coaching program for goal achievement in two studies and found that working on goal achievement with the CAC had a positive impact on the psychological well-being of the participants.
Abstract: Life coaching can contribute to goal attainment, quality of life, and psychological well-being enhancement. We explored the capacity of a speech-based conversational agent coach (CAC) to deliver a coaching program for goal achievement in two studies. Participants showed a significant increase in personal growth initiative (PGI) after completing the program both in the pilot and the main study. Participants in the main study additionally reported a significant increase in life satisfaction (SLS) and a significant decrease in negative affect (PANAS-N). Usability of the application, satisfaction with the coaching program, and adoption intention were rated positively in both studies. The results suggest that working on goal achievement with the CAC had a positive impact on the psychological well-being of the participants. The study provides an empirically-validated approach for automated coaching interventions and highlights the potential of conversational agents for delivering life coaching.