A method to deconvolve stellar rotational velocities

Rotational speed is an important physical parameter of stars and knowing the distribution of stellar rotational velocities is essential for the understanding stellar evolution. However, it cannot be measured directly but the convolution of the rotational speed and the sine of the inclination angle, $v \sin i$. We developed a method to deconvolve this inverse problem and obtain the cumulative distribution function (CDF) for stellar rotational velocities extending the work of Chandrasekhar & M\"unch (1950). This method is applied a) to theoretical synthetic data recovering the original velocity distribution with very small error; b) to a sample of about 12.000 field main--sequence stars, corroborating that the velocity distribution function is non--Maxwellian, but is better described by distributions based on the concept of maximum entropy, such as Tsallis or Kaniadakis distribution functions. This is a very robust and novel method that deconvolve the rotational velocity cumulative distribution function from a sample of $v \sin i$ data in just one single step without needing any convergence criteria.Comment: Accepted in A&

Performance, Stability, and Control Investigation at Mach Numbers from 0.60 to 1.05 of a Model of the "Swallow" with Outer Wing Panels Swept 75 degree with and without Power Simulations

An investigation of the performance, stability, and control characteristics of a variable-sweep arrow-wing model with the outer wing panels swept 75 deg. has been conducted in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel. Four outboard engines located above and below the wing provided propulsive thrust, and, by deflecting in the pitch direction and rotating in the lateral plane, also produced control forces. The engine nacelles incorporated swept lateral and vertical fins for aerodynamic stability and control. Jet-off data were obtained with flow-through nacelles, simulating inlet flow; jet thrust and hot-jet interference effects were obtained with faired-nose nacelles housing hydrogen peroxide gas generators. Six-component force and moment data were obtained at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.05 through a range of angles of attack and angles of side-slip. Control characteristics were obtained by deflecting the nacelle-fin combinations as elevators, rudders, and ailerons at several fixed angles for each control. The results indicate that the basic wing-body configuration becomes neutrally stable or unstable at a lift coefficient of 0.15; addition of nacelles with fins delayed instability to a lift coefficient of 0.30. Addition of nacelles to the wing-body configuration increased minimum drag from 0.0058 to 0.0100 at a Mach number of 0.60 and from 0.0080 to 0.0190 at a Mach number of 1.05 with corresponding reductions in maximum lift-drag ratio of 12 percent and 33 percent, respectively. The nacelle-fin combinations were ineffective as longitudinal controls but were adequate as directional and lateral controls. The model with nacelles and fins was directionally and laterally stable; the stability generally increased with increasing lift. Jet interference effects on stability and control characteristics were small but the adverse effects on drag were greater than would be expected for isolated nacelles

Asset-based approaches to promote health and reduce inequalities in neighbourhoods. A qualitative theory-based investigation of two cases

In recent years, a resurgence of interest towards asset-based approaches to tackle place-based health inequalities has grown within the public health community, despite their limited evidence. This study aimed to understand how ABAs could promote health and reduce inequalities when implemented in less advantaged neighbourhoods. More specifically, it aimed to identify both ABAs’ key characteristics, and the changes and processes through which ABAs affect inequalities. A qualitative research was conducted in two settings (Valencia and Sheffield) where similar AB initiatives were implemented, aimed at training lay people to become health promoters. Data were collected using theory of change workshops, observations and semi-structured interviews with 44 key stakeholders, including community members, Voluntary and Community Sector organisations’ workers, and health professionals. A thematic analysis informed by systems thinking was carried out to understand the potential impact of ABAs. Three main processes were identified. First, ‘enabling AB thinking’, defined as adopting a positive view to value resources and people’s skills and expertise. Second, ‘developing AB capacities’, described as developing skills, knowledge, self-confidence, and relationships underpinned by AB thinking, to value each other as potential assets. Finally, ‘mobilising AB capacities’, referred to achieving wider changes in the neighbourhoods, resulting from stakeholders mobilising the developed AB capacities beyond the initiatives. Significantly, contextual factors were found key in enabling or hindering these changes to happen. This research adds evidence to the theory of ABAs, as it showed that enabling AB thinking is a key ongoing process throughout. It also provides insights to ABAs’ implementation, as developing and mobilising AB capacities can foster individual empowerment and the development of social capital among stakeholders, although impact on places was limited because of contextual factors. Finally, this study shows that adopting qualitative methods informed by systems thinking can help understand ABAs’ potential to impact on place-based health inequalities

Salutogenic interventions and health effects : a scoping review of the literature

Objective To explore the typology of implemented salutogenic interventions and the health effects described by the authors. Method A scoping review of the literature published (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus) over the last ten years (2007-2016) was conducted. Articles that included interventions with assessments of health outcomes were selected for this review. The kappa index (86.4%) was calculated for the classification and extraction of information. Results 61 papers were selected out of the 676 works identified. These were categorized into individual, grouped, mixed and intersectoral interventions. A total of 85% of the interventions described positive effects. Adverse effects were not reported. Methodological limitations were identified in 75% of the papers. The interventions addressed a large variety of topics, especially in the field of mental health and chronic diseases. Collective actions described more positive effects. Intersectoral actions were the only type of interventions to have approached the impact of mortality reduction. Conclusions Findings support the existence of positive health effects of salutogenic approaches. Important methodological limitations were identified, such as biases in the selection of participants and sample sizes. Studies need to be conducted with improved monitoring and evaluation designs. A more robust theoretical framework and tools to evaluate the salutogenic contents are needed

Transonic Aerodynamic Loading Characteristics of a Wing-Body-Tail Combination Having a 52.5 deg. Sweptback Wing of Aspect Ratio 3 With Conical Wing Camber and Body Indentation for a Design Mach Number of Square Root of 2

An investigation has been made of the effects of conical wing camber and body indentation according to the supersonic area rule on the aerodynamic wing loading characteristics of a wing-body-tail configuration at transonic speeds. The wing aspect ratio was 3, taper ratio was 0.1, and quarter-chord-line sweepback was 52.5 deg. with 3-percent-thick airfoil sections. The tests were conducted in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel at Mach numbers from 0.80 to 1.05 and at angles of attack from 0 deg. to 14 deg., with Reynolds numbers based on mean aerodynamic chord varying from 7 x 10(exp 6) to 8 x 10(exp 6). Conical camber delayed wing-tip stall and reduced the severity of the accompanying longitudinal instability but did not appreciably affect the spanwise load distribution at angles of attack below tip stall. Body indentation reduced the transonic chordwise center-of-pressure travel from about 8 percent to 5 percent of the mean aerodynamic chord

Performance, Stability, and Control Investigation at Mach Numbers from 0.4 to 0.9 of a Model of the "Swallow" with Outer Wing Panels Swept 25 degree with and without Power Simulation

An investigation of the performance, stability, and control characteristics of a variable-sweep arrow-wing model (the "Swallow") with the outer wing panels swept 25 deg has been conducted in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel. The wing was uncambered and untwisted and had RAE 102 airfoil sections with a thickness-to-chord ratio of 0.14 normal to the leading edge. Four outboard engines located above and below the wing provided propulsive thrust, and, by deflecting in the pitch direction and rotating in the lateral plane, also produced control forces. A pair of swept lateral fins and a single vertical fin were mounted on each engine nacelle to provide aerodynamic stability and control. Jets-off data were obtained with flow-through nacelles, stimulating the effects of inlet flow; jet thrust and hot-jet interference effects were obtained with faired-nose nacelles housing hydrogen peroxide gas generators. Six-component force and moment data were obtained through a Mach number range of 0.40 to 0.90 at angles of attack and angles of sideslip from 0 deg to 15 deg. Longitudinal, directional, and lateral control were obtained by deflecting the nacelle-fin combinations as elevators, rudders, and ailerons at several fixed angles for each control

Las intervenciones salutogénicas y los efectos en la salud. Una scoping review de la literatura científica

Objective: To explore the typology of implemented salutogenic interventions and the health effects described by the authors. Method: A scoping review of the literature published (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus) over the last ten years (2007-2016) was conducted. Articles that included interventions with assessments of health outcomes were selected for this review. The kappa index (86.4%) was calculated for the classification and extraction of information. Results: 61 papers were selected out of the 676 works identified. These were categorized into individual, grouped, mixed and intersectoral interventions. A total of 85% of the interventions described positive effects. Adverse effects were not reported. Methodological limitations were identified in 75% of the papers. The interventions addressed a large variety of topics, especially in the field of mental health and chronic diseases. Collective actions described more positive effects. Intersectoral actions were the only type of interventions to have approached the impact of mortality reduction. Conclusions: Findings support the existence of positive health effects of salutogenic approaches. Important methodological limitations were identified, such as biases in the selection of participants and sample sizes. Studies need to be conducted with improved monitoring and evaluation designs. A more robust theoretical framework and tools to evaluate the salutogenic contents are needed.Objetivo: Conocer el tipo de las intervenciones salutogénicas identificadas en la literatura científica y los efectos descritos por los autores en la salud de la población. Método: Se realizó una scoping review de trabajos publicados entre los años 2007 y 2016 en español, inglés y francés en PubMed, Embase, Web of Science y Scopus. Se seleccionaron y clasificaron trabajos de investigación que contemplaran una intervención con evaluación de resultados en salud. Se calculó el índice kappa (86,4%) para la clasificación y la extracción de la información. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 61 trabajos de investigación entre 676 trabajos identificados. Se clasificaron en intervenciones individuales, grupales, mixtas e intersectoriales. El 85% de las intervenciones describieron efectos positivos. No se encontraron efectos adversos. Se observaron limitaciones metodológicas en el 75% de los trabajos. Las intervenciones abordaban gran variedad de temas, especialmente en el campo de la salud mental y las enfermedades crónicas. Las intervenciones colectivas describen más efectos positivos. Las actuaciones intersectoriales representan el único tipo de intervenciones que ha abordado el impacto en la reducción de la mortalidad. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos descritos sugieren la existencia de efectos positivos para la salud. Se identifican importantes limitaciones metodológicas. Es necesario desarrollar estudios en mejores condiciones de control, así como marcos teóricos más robustos y herramientas que permitan evaluar el contenido salutogénico de las intervenciones

Performance assessment of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile restoration experiment on dead matte twelve years after planting\u2014structural and functional meadow features

Following the restoration of natural conditions by reducing human pressures, reforestation is currently considered a possible option to accelerate the recovery of seagrass habitats. Long-term monitoring programs theoretically represent an ideal solution to assess whether a reforestation plan has produced the desired results. Here, we report on the performance of a 20 m2 patch of Posidonia oceanica transplanted on dead matte twelve years after transplantation in the Gulf of Palermo, northwestern Sicily. Photo mosaic performed in the area allowed us to detect 23 transplanted patches of both regular and irregular shape, ranging from 0.1 to 2.7 m2 and an overall surface close to 19 m2. Meadow density was 331.6 \ub1 17.7 shoot m-2 (currently five times higher than the initial value of 66 shoots m-2), and it did not show statistical differences from a close by natural meadow (331.2 \ub1 14.9). Total primary production, estimated by lepidochronology, varied from 333.0 to 332.7 g dw m2/year, at the transplanted and natural stand, respectively. These results suggest that complete restoration of P. oceanica on dead matte is possible in a relatively short time (a decade), thus representing a good starting point for upscaling the recovery of the degraded meadows in the area