Novel Method for Determining Internal Combustion Engine Dysfunctions on Platform as a Service.

This article deals with a unique, new powertrain diagnostics platform at the level of a large number of EU25 inspection stations. Implemented method uses emission measurement data and additional data from significant sample of vehicles. An original technique using machine learning that uses 9 static testing points (defined by constant engine load and constant engine speed), volume of engine combustion chamber, EURO emission standard category, engine condition state coefficient and actual mileage is applied.

Urban environment and physical activity and capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Physical activity and exercise capacity are key prognostic factors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but their environmental determinants are unknown.

Objectives: To test the association between urban environment and objective physical activity, physical activity experience and exercise capacity in COPD.

Methods: We studied 404 patients with mild-to-very severe COPD from a multi-city study in Catalonia, Spain.

Roles of the physical environment in health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rationale: Many clinical and psychological factors are known to influence the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, research on whether environmental factors, such as air pollution, noise, temperature, and blue/green spaces also influence HRQL in COPD has not been systematically investigated.

Objective: To assess the relationship between air pollution, road traffic noise, temperature, and distance to blue/green spaces and respiratory-specific HRQL in COPD.

Patterns of Physical Activity Progression in Patients With COPD.

Introduction: Although mean physical activity in COPD patients declines by 400-500steps/day annually, it is unknown whether the natural progression is the same for all patients. We aimed to identify distinct physical activity progression patterns using a hypothesis-free approach and to assess their determinants.

Methods: We pooled data from two cohorts (usual care arm of Urban Training [NCT01897298] and PROactive initial validation [NCT01388218] studies) measuring physical activity at baseline and 12 months (Dynaport MoveMonitor).

Determinants of study completion and response to a 12-month behavioral physical activity intervention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cohort study.

Objectives: Physical activity is key to improve the prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To help to tailor future interventions we aimed to identify the baseline characteristics of COPD patients which predict 12-month completion and response to a behavioral physical activity intervention.

Methods: This is a 12-month cohort study of the intervention arm of the Urban Training randomized controlled trial (NCT01897298), an intervention proven to be efficacious to increase physical activity.