XMMPZCAT: A catalogue of photometric redshifts for X-ray sources

The third version of the XMM-Newton serendipitous catalogue (3XMM), containing almost half million sources, is now the largest X-ray catalogue. However, its full scientific potential remains untapped due to the lack of distance information (i.e. redshifts) for the majority of its sources. Here we present XMMPZCAT, a catalogue of photometric redshifts (photo-z) for 3XMM sources. We searched for optical counterparts of 3XMM-DR6 sources outside the Galactic plane in the SDSS and Pan-STARRS surveys, with the addition of near- (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) data whenever possible (2MASS, UKIDSS, VISTA-VHS, and AllWISE). We used this photometry data set in combination with a training sample of 5157 X-ray selected sources and the MLZ-TPZ package, a supervised machine learning algorithm based on decision trees and random forests for the calculation of photo-z. We have estimated photo-z for 100,178 X-ray sources, about 50% of the total number of 3XMM sources (205,380) in the XMM-Newton fields selected to build this catalogue (4208 out of 9159). The accuracy of our results highly depends on the available photometric data, with a rate of outliers ranging from 4% for sources with data in the optical+NIR+MIR, up to $\sim$40% for sources with only optical data. We also addressed the reliability level of our results by studying the shape of the photo-z probability density distributions.Comment: 16 pages, 14 figures, A&A accepte

Versatile interaction specification of tools and agents

Journal ArticleVista is a software infrastructure addressing the vexing problem of software tool interaction?especially how to get egocentric tools to work well together. Vista neither assumes nor requires that tools or tool-mediating agents understand a cooperative messaging protocol, only that they share some common means of interprocess communication. Most IPC mechanisms are too ad hoc and low-level for use by non (or non-expert) programmers. Vista helps by encapsulating such mechanisms in abstract data types obeying high-level protocols. This software framework cleanly integrates a visual language editor, a compiler, libraries, specification analysis tools, and a process control executive into a unified whole

The VMC survey III : Mass-loss rates and luminosities of LMC AGB stars

Context. Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars are major contributors to both the chemical enrichment of the interstellar medium and the integrated light of galaxies. Despite its importance, the AGB is one of the least understood phases of stellar evolution. The main difficulties associated with detailed modelling of the AGB are related to the mass-loss process and the 3rd dredge-up efficiency Aims. We provide direct measures of mass-loss rates and luminosities for a complete sample of AGB stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud, disentangling the C- and O-rich stellar populations. Methods. Dust radiative transfer models are presented for all 374 AGB stars candidates in one of the fields observed by the new VISTA survey of the Magellanic Clouds (VMC). Mass-loss rates, luminosities and a classification of C-and O-rich stars are derived by fitting the models to the spectral energy distribution (SED) obtained by combining VMC data with existing optical, near-, and mid-infrared photometry. Results. The classification technique is reliable at a level of - at worst -75% and significantly better for the reddest dusty stars. We classified none of the stars with a relevant mass-loss rate as O-rich, and we can exclude the presence of more than one dusty O-rich star at a similar to 94% level. The bolometric luminosity function we obtained is fully consistent with most of the literature data on the LMC and with the prediction of theoretical models, with a peak of the C-star distribution at M-bol similar or equal to -4.8 mag and no stars brighter than the classical AGB tip, at M-bol = -7.1 mag. Conclusions. This exploratory study shows that our method provides reliable mass-loss rates, luminosities and chemical classifications for all AGB stars. These results offer already important constraints to AGB evolutionary models. Most of our conclusions, especially for the rarer dust-enshrouded extreme AGB stars, are however strongly limited by the relatively small area covered by our study. Forthcoming VMC observations will easily remove this limitation.Peer reviewe

El uso de estrategias de comunicación de aprendices de inglés como L2 con diferentes niveles de competencia en un contexto oral interactivo

Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.Abstract: This study aims to examine the different communication strategies (CSs) EFL learners employ when communicating orally, and determine the relationship between the learners’ proficiency level and their CS use. Spoken data from three conversations held by Spanish learners of English of different levels were analysed in order to determine the type of CSs they used when interacting with a native speaker (NS) in an informal environment outside the classroom. The identification of the CSs was carried out following Dörnyei and Körmos’ taxonomy (1998). Overall results show that there is an association between the learners’ proficiency level and their CS usage. Results from a detailed analysis confirmed this relationship and revealed that the learners’ linguistic competence is not only related to the frequency of the CSs used but mostly to the type of CS.Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las diferentes estrategias de comunicación (EsC) que utilizan aprendices de inglés como L2 al comunicarse oralmente, y determinar la relación entre la competencia lingüística de estos estudiantes y el uso de las EsC. Se analizó un corpus oral obtenido de tres conversaciones entre estudiantes de inglés de distintos niveles de competencia con el propósito de descubrir el tipo de EsC que éstos utilizan al interactuar con un hablante nativo en un ambiente informal fuera del aula. La identificación de las EsC utilizadas se realizó mediante la taxonomía propuesta por Dörnyei y Körmos (1998). Desde un punto de vista general los resultados muestran que existe una asociación entre el nivel de competencia lingüística de los estudiantes y las EsC que éstos utilizan. Esto fue corroborado mediante un análisis más detallado de los datos que demostró una relación no sólo entre el nivel de competencia y la frecuencia de uso de las EsC sino principalmente con el tipo de estrategias utilizadas por cada nivel.http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?pid=S0718-09342016000100004&script=sci_abstrac

Monitorització d'alt nivell per a el computing de l'experiment ATLAS (LHC)

Aquest projecte descriu la fusió de les necessitats diaries de monitorització del experiment ATLAS des del punt de vista del cloud. La idea principal es desenvolupar un conjunt de col·lectors que recullin informació de la distribució i processat de les dades i dels test de wlcg (Service Availability Monitoring), emmagatzemant-la en BBDD específiques per tal de mostrar els resultats en una sola pàgina HLM (High Level Monitoring). Un cop aconseguit, l'aplicació ha de permetre investigar més enllà via interacció amb el front-end, el qual estarà alimentat per les estadístiques emmagatzemades a la BBDD.Este proyecto describe la fusión de las necesidades diarias de monitorización del experimento ATLAS desde el punto de vista del cloud. La idea principal es desarrollar un conjunto de colectores que recojan información de la distribución y procesado de los datos y los tests wlcg (Service Availability Monitoring), almacenándola en BBDD específicas para mostrar los resultados en una sola página HLM (High Level Monitoring). Una vez conseguido, la aplicación debe permitir investigar mas allá vía interacción con el front-end, el cual estará alimentado por las estadísticas almacenadas en la BBDD.In this project an approach is described to merge all monitoring daily needs for an LHC experiment like ATLAS from the cloud point of view. The main idea is to develop a set of collectors to gather information for data distribution, data processing and wLCG tests (Service Availability Monitoring), store them in specific databases, wrap the results and show it in a single High Level Monitoring (HLM) page. Once having a HLM one can investigate further by interacting with the front-end which is fed by the stats stored at the databases

Platelet-Rich Fibrin Versus Connective Tissue Graft Using Vestibular Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access (VISTA) Technique in Multiple Gingival Recessions: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: One of the most common esthetic concerns in dentistry is gingival recession (GR), and despite the various treatment strategies for root coverage, multiple recessions still present a great challenge, especially Miller Class III/RT2. Thus, this study aimed to compare the effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) versus connective tissue graft (CTG) using vestibular incision subperiosteal tunnel access (VISTA) in patients with Miller class III/RT2 multiple recessions for root coverage. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with multiple Class III/RT2 gingival recessions were randomly allocated to two equal groups – group 1 (VISTA+PRF) and group 2 (VISTA+CTG). Recession depth (RD) and width (RW), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival thickness, keratinized tissue width, and root coverage esthetic score (RES) were measured at 0, 3, and 6 months. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Bonferroni’s post-hoc test was used for pair-wise comparisons when ANOVA was significant. For non-parametric data, the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare between the two groups. Results: Within each group, a significant difference from baseline to six months was found. However, between groups, the results for the VISTA+CTG group significantly surpassed the VISTA+PRF group in most clinical outcomes; gingival recession depth (0.5 [0.25-1.75] and 1.33 [0.75-2], respectively), and width (1 [0.38-3.75] and 2.33 [1.33-3], respectively), gingival thickness at three and six months (2.62±0.36 and 2.63±0.36, respectively) and (1.85±0.2 and 1.87±0.18, respectively), and keratinized tissue width (3.98±0.72 and 3.33±0.56, respectively). However, CAL and PD showed a statistically insignificant difference when comparing both groups. Conclusion: The use of CTG is superior to PRF in root coverage of Miller Class III/RT2 when the VISTA technique is used. Connective tissue grafts can be considered the gold standard for root coverage

Comparative study of the modified VISTA technique (m-VISTA) versus the coronally advanced flap (CAF) in the treatment of multiple Miller class III/RT2 recessions: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives To compare the percentage of mean root coverage (MRC%) obtained in the treatment of multiple Miller class III/RT2 gingival recessions using the modified VISTA (m-VISTA) technique versus the coronally advanced flap (CAF) technique, using a connective tissue graft (CTG) in both cases. Materials and methods Twenty-four patients were randomly treated with m-VISTA (test group (TG) = 12) or CAF (control group (CG) = 12). A calibrated, experienced, and blinded examiner collected data related to multiple periodontal clinical variables, especially the recession (REC) in order to calculate the MRC% at 6 and 12 months, which was the primary outcome of the study. Also, the radiological bone level, the characteristics of the CTG, and postsurgical incidences were assessed. Finally, a descriptive and an analytical statistical analysis of the variables and their associations was performed. Results The recessions (n = 84) were located mainly in the mandible (n = 65) and in posterior sectors (premolars: n = 35; molars: n = 8). At 6 months, the MRC% was 61% (2 mm) for both study groups, and at 12 months, it increased to 73.26% (2.11 mm) in the TG and decreased to 56.49% (1.78 mm) in the CG. Conclusion When approaching multiple Miller class III/RT2 recessions, there were no statistically significant differences in the MRC% at 6 and 12 months between the group treated with the m-VISTA technique and the group treated with the CAF.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. This research was conducted by the investigators who independently performed all phases of the study, including protocol development, clinical procedures, data analysis, result interpretation, and reporting. We declare that AFJ, JMAU, and XMM have previously received grants from the University of the Basque Country (PPG17/01)

Autonomy found: Estimating the local benefit from tourism in SIDS – the Case of Cape Verde

Tourism is an unusually important economic sector for the Small Island Development States (SIDS). Islands are the second most visited destinations after historic cities. The SIDS tourism is usually dependent on foreign investment and in the form of All-Inclusive (AI) system. Few studies have evaluated the economic impact of tourism on the economic development and/or poverty reduction of a SID using macro level data. And little research has used micro/firm level data to investigate the impact of tourism on the local economy of SIDS. This paper aims to evaluate the local benefits made from the development of tourism in SIDS, in particular the contribution of AI accommodation using the case of Cape Verde. It makes two main contributions: it makes the first attempt to use microeconomic data at the company level to examine the contribution of tourism in SIDS; it uses empirical data to examine the impacts of AI accommodation on the local economy. A semi-structured hotel questionnaire was applied to 13 accommodation managers and hotel owners, from small guest-houses to large 500 room All-Inclusive resorts in Sal, Boa Vista, Fogo, and Santo Antão. The results indicate that for destinations at an early stage in their development, large-scale AIs may be the most effective way to achieve the growth of tourism to the point that a critical mass is achieved