A survey of hard spectrum ROSAT sources - II. Optical identification of hard sources

We have surveyed 188 ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) fields for X-ray sources with hard spectra (alpha 1) identified hard sources have broad lines

The nature of X-ray-absorbed quasi-stellar objects

There exists a significant population of broad line, z∼ 2 quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) which have heavily absorbed X-ray spectra. Follow-up observations in the submillimetre show that these QSOs are embedded in ultraluminous starburst galaxies, unlike most unabsorbed QSOs at the same redshifts and luminosities. Here we present X-ray spectra from XMM–Newton for a sample of five such X-ray-absorbed QSOs that have been detected at submillimetre wavelengths. We also present spectra in the rest-frame ultraviolet from ground-based telescopes. All the five QSOs are found to exhibit strong C iv absorption lines in their ultraviolet spectra with equivalent width >5 Å. The X-ray spectra are inconsistent with the hypothesis that these objects show normal QSO continua absorbed by low-ionization gas. Instead, the spectra can be modelled successfully with ionized absorbers, or with cold absorbers if they possess unusually flat X-ray continuum shapes and unusual optical to X-ray spectral energy distributions. We show that the ionized absorber model provides the simplest, most self-consistent explanation for their observed properties. We estimate that the fraction of radiated power that is converted into kinetic luminosity of the outflowing winds is typically ∼4 per cent, in agreement with recent estimates for the kinetic feedback from QSOs required to produce the M–σ relation, and consistent with the hypothesis that the X-ray-absorbed QSOs represent the transition phase between obscured accretion and the luminous QSO phase in the evolution of massive galaxies

Self-rated health and educational level in Spain: Trends by autonomous communities and gender (2001-2012)

Objetivo Conocer la evolución de la prevalencia de mala salud percibida en España por comunidades autónomas (CC.AA.) para el periodo 2001-2012, las diferencias por sexo y edad, y la influencia del nivel educativo. Método Estudio transversal de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de 2001 a 2011-12, y de la Encuesta Europea de 2009. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo por sexo, edad, nivel educativo y C.A. de residencia ajustado por edad. Se utilizaron análisis de regresión logística para estudiar la evolución temporal y conocer la asociación entre el nivel educativo y la salud percibida, calculando su capacidad predictiva mediante el estadístico C. Resultados La prevalencia de mala salud percibida fue mayor en las mujeres con nivel educativo bajo y mejoró en las de nivel educativo alto (18,6% en 2001 y 14,6% en 2012). La mayor prevalencia de mala salud percibida se observó en Andalucía, Canarias, Galicia y Murcia, con diferencias por sexo. El nivel educativo bajo se asoció con una peor salud percibida en la mayoría de las CC.AA., con buena capacidad predictiva. En todas las CC.AA., excepto Asturias, existió una mayor percepción de mala salud en las mujeres que en los hombres. En España, la prevalencia de mala salud percibida se mantuvo sin cambios en el periodo analizado, pero mejoró en Baleares, Cataluña y Madrid. Conclusiones En España existen diferencias en la prevalencia de mala salud percibida por CC.AA. Aunque no varía en el periodo analizado, se observan desigualdades en su evolución según el nivel educativo y el sexo, que podrían conllevar un aumento de las desigualdades en mujeres según el nivel educativo. Objective To identify the trend in self-rated health in Spain by autonomous communities (AC) in the period 2001-2012, as well as differences by gender and age, and the influence of educational level. Methods A cross sectional study was carried out using data from the National Health Surveys from 2001 to 2011-12 and the 2009 European Survey. A descriptive analysis was conducted that included gender, age, educational level, and the AC of residence. Logistic regression analyses were developed to explore the temporal trend and the association between educational level and self-rated health. The predictive capacity of the model was calculated using the C statistic. Results The prevalence of low self-rated health was higher in women with low educational level. Self-rated health improved in women with high educational level (2001:18.6% vs. 2012:14.6%). The highest prevalence of low self-rated health was observed in Andalusia, the Canary Islands, Galicia and Murcia, with differences by gender. Low educational level was associated with low self-rated health in most AC, with good predictive capacity. In all AC except Asturias, low self-rated health was more frequent in women than in men. In Spain, the prevalence of self-rated health showed no variations in the period analyzed and improved in the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, and Madrid. Conclusions The prevalence of self-rated health in Spain differed by AC. Although health was unchanged during the period considered, inequalities were found in its temporal trend by educational level and gender, which could lead to an increase in health inequalities in women according educational level

Utilización de servicios sanitarios en ancianos (España 2006-2012): influencia del nivel de salud y de la clase social

Objetivo Conocer la utilización de servicios sanitarios de Atención Primaria (AP), Atención Especializada (AE), hospitalizaciones, Hospital de Día y Urgencias, y la hiperfrecuentación en ancianos en España, analizando la influencia del estado de salud, sexo, clase social y evolución temporal. Diseño Estudio transversal en 2 fases. Emplazamiento España. Participantes Personas encuestadas en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2006 y 2011-12. Mediciones principales Como variables de salud se utilizaron la salud percibida y diagnosticada (número y tipo de diagnósticos). La clase social se obtuvo a partir de la última ocupación del sustentador principal (clases manuales y no manuales). Se realizaron análisis de regresión logística, ajustando por sexo, edad, nivel de salud, clase social y año, calculando su capacidad predictiva. ResultadosEl porcentaje de población mayor que utiliza consultas médicas descendió en el periodo estudiado. Las mujeres trabajadoras manuales presentaron la mayor prevalencia de mala salud (mala salud percibida en el 2006: 70,6%). La mala salud se asoció a mayor utilización de servicios sanitarios. La salud percibida fue mejor predictor de utilización de servicios y de hiperfrecuentación que la diagnosticada, con la mayor capacidad predictiva para AE (C = 0,676). Los ancianos de clases sociales bajas utilizaron con más frecuencia AP y Urgencias, mientras que la utilización de AE y Hospital de Día fue mayor en clases altas. Conclusiones Existen diferencias en salud y utilización de servicios sanitarios en mayores según clase social. Resulta necesario prestar atención a la salud percibida como predictor de la utilización de servicios sanitarios y revisar la accesibilidad-equidad de nuestros servicios

X-ray-selected broad absorption line quasi-stellar objects

We study a sample of six X-ray-selected broad absorption line (BAL) quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) from the XMM–Newton Wide Angle Survey. All six objects are classified as BALQSOs using the classic balnicity index, and together they form the largest sample of X-ray-selected BALQSOs. We find evidence for absorption in the X-ray spectra of all six objects. An ionized absorption model applied to an X-ray spectral shape that would be typical for non-BAL QSOs (a power law with energy index α = 0.98) provides acceptable fits to the X-ray spectra of all six objects. The optical to X-ray spectral indices, αOX, of the X-ray-selected BALQSOs, have a mean value of 〈αOX〉 = 1.69 ± 0.05, which is similar to that found for X-ray-selected and optically selected non-BAL QSOs of a similar ultraviolet luminosity. In contrast, optically selected BALQSOs typically have much larger αOX and so are characterized as being X-ray weak. The results imply that X-ray selection yields intrinsically X-ray bright BALQSOs, but their X-ray spectra are absorbed by a similar degree to that seen in optically selected BALQSO samples; X-ray absorption appears to be ubiquitous in BALQSOs, but X-ray weakness is not. We argue that BALQSOs sit at one end of a spectrum of X-ray absorption properties in QSOs related to the degree of ultraviolet absorption in C iv 1550 Å

Environmentally friendly analysis of emerging contaminants by pressurized hot water extraction-stir bar sorptive extraction-derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

This work describes the development, optimiza- tion, and validation of a new method for the simultaneous determination of a wide range of pharmaceuticals (beta- blockers, lipid regulators ... ) and personal care products (fragrances, UV filters, phthalates ... ) in both aqueous and solid environmental matrices. Target compounds were extracted from sediments using pressurized hot water ex- traction followed by stir bar sorptive extraction. The first stage was performed at 1,500 psi during three static extrac- tion cycles of 5 min each after optimizing the extraction temperature (50 – 150 °C) and addition of organic modifiers (% methanol) to water, the extraction solvent. Next, aqueous extracts and water samples were processed using polydime- thylsiloxane bars. Several parameters were optimized for this technique, including extraction and desorption time, ionic strength, presence of organic modifiers, and pH. Fi- nally, analytes were extracted from the bars by ultrasonic irradiation using a reduced amount of solvent (0.2 mL) prior to derivatization and gas chromatography – mass spectrome- try analysis. The optimized protocol uses minimal amounts of organic solvents (<10 mL/sample) and time ( ≈ 8 h/sam- ple) compared to previous ex isting methodologies. Low standard deviation (usually below 10 %) and limits of de- tection (sub-ppb) vouch for the applicability of the method- ology for the analysis of target compounds at trace levels. Once developed, the method was applied to determin

Human Computation and Convergence

Humans are the most effective integrators and producers of information, directly and through the use of information-processing inventions. As these inventions become increasingly sophisticated, the substantive role of humans in processing information will tend toward capabilities that derive from our most complex cognitive processes, e.g., abstraction, creativity, and applied world knowledge. Through the advancement of human computation - methods that leverage the respective strengths of humans and machines in distributed information-processing systems - formerly discrete processes will combine synergistically into increasingly integrated and complex information processing systems. These new, collective systems will exhibit an unprecedented degree of predictive accuracy in modeling physical and techno-social processes, and may ultimately coalesce into a single unified predictive organism, with the capacity to address societies most wicked problems and achieve planetary homeostasis.Comment: Pre-publication draft of chapter. 24 pages, 3 figures; added references to page 1 and 3, and corrected typ

Efficacy of treatment for hyperglycemic crisis in elderly diabetic patients in a day hospital

The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to compare the costs of day hospital (DH) care for hyperglycemic crisis in elderly diabetic patients with those of conventional hospitalization (CH). Secondary objectives were to compare these two clinical scenarios in terms of glycemic control, number of emergency and outpatient visits, readmissions, hypoglycemic episodes, and nosocomial morbidity. The study population comprised diabetic patients aged >74 years consecutively admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital in Spain for hyperglycemic crisis (sustained hyperglycemia [>300 mg/dL] for at least 3 days with or without ketosis). The patients were assigned to DH or CH care according to time of admission and were followed for 6 months after discharge. Exclusion criteria were ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar crisis, hemodynamic instability, severe intercurrent illness, social deprivation, or Katz index >D. Sixty-four diabetic patients on DH care and 36 on CH care were included, with no differences in baseline characteristics. The average cost per patient was 1,345.1±793.6 € in the DH group and 2,212.4±982.5 € in the CH group (P <0.001). There were no differences in number of subjects with mild hypoglycemia during follow-up (45.3% DH versus 33.3% CH, P =0.24), nor in the percentage of patients achieving a glycated hemoglobin (HbA) <8% (67.2% DH versus 58.3% CH, P =0.375). Readmissions for hyperglycemic crisis and pressure ulcer rates were significantly higher in the CH group. DH care for hyperglycemic crises is more cost-effective than CH care, with a net saving of 1,418.4 € per case, lower number of readmissions and pressure ulcer rates, and similar short-term glycemic control and hypoglycemia rates

The XMM-Newton serendipitous survey - II. First results from the AXIS high galactic latitude medium sensitivity survey

We present the first results on the identifications of a medium sensitivity survey (X-ray flux limit 2 x 10(-14) erg cm(-2) s(-1) in the 0.5-4.5 keV band) at high galactic latitude (\b\ > 20degrees) carried out with the XMM-Newton X-ray observatory within the AXIS observing programme. This study is being conducted as part of the XMM-Newton Survey Science Centre activities towards the identification of the sources in the X-ray serendipitous sky survey. The sample contains 29 X-ray sources in a solid angle of 0.26 deg(2) (source density 113 +/- 21 sources deg(-2)), out of which 27 (93%) have been identified. The majority of the sources are broad-line AGN (19), followed by narrow emission line X-ray emitting galaxies (6, all of which turn out to be AGN), 1 nearby non-emission line galaxy (NGC 4291) and 1 active coronal star. Among the identified sources we find 2 broad-absorption line QSOs (z similar to 1.8 and z similar to 1.9), which constitute similar to10% of the AGN population at this flux level, similar to optically selected samples. Identifications of a further 10 X-ray sources fainter than our survey limit are also presented