Functional imaging in asthma and COPD: design of the NOVELTY ADPro substudy

The NOVEL observational longiTudinal studY (NOVELTY; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02760329) is a global, prospective, observational study of ∼12 000 patients with a diagnosis of asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Here we describe the design of the Advanced Diagnostic Profiling (ADPro) substudy of NOVELTY being conducted in a subset of ∼180 patients recruited from two primary care sites in York, UK. ADPro is employing a combination of novel functional imaging and physiological and metabolic modalities to explore structural and functional changes in the lungs, and their association with different phenotypes and endotypes. Patients participating in the ADPro substudy will attend two visits at the University of Sheffield, UK, 12±2 months apart, at which they will undergo imaging and physiological lung function testing. The primary endpoints are the distributions of whole lung functional and morphological measurements assessed with Xenon-129 magnetic resonance imaging, including ventilation, gas transfer and airway microstructural indices. Physiological assessments of pulmonary function include spirometry, bronchodilator reversibility, static lung volumes via body plethysmography, transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide, multiple-breath nitrogen washout and airway oscillometry. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide will be measured as a marker of Type-2 airways inflammation. Regional and global assessment of lung function using these techniques will enable more precise phenotyping of patients with physician-assigned asthma and/or COPD. These techniques will be assessed for their sensitivity to markers of early disease progression

Control and optimization of semi-passively actuated multibody systems

The controlled multibody systems are under the consideration. At the lecture special emphasis is put on the study of underactuated and overactuated systems having different type of actuators (external powered drives, unpowered spring-damper like drives, etc.). Several questions are addressed about the role of inherent dynamics, and how much multibody system should be governed by external powered drives and how much by the systems inherent dynamics. The lecture consists of the following parts: introduction to the subject in question; mathematical statement of the optimal control problems that are suitable for modelling of controlled motion and optimization of semi-passively controlled multibody systems with different degrees of actuation; description of the methodology and the numerical algorithms for solution of control and optimization problems for semi-passively actuated multibody systems. The solutions of several optimal control problems for different kind of semi-passively actuated multibody systems are presented. Namely, the energy-optimal control of planar semi-passively controlled three-link manipulator robot, the energy-optimal control of closed-loop chain semi-passively actuated SCARA-like robot; optimization of the hydraulic and pneumatic drives of the multibody system modelled the human locomotor apparatus with above-knee prostheses, and others. Future perspectives in area of control and optimization problems of the semi-passively actuated multibody systems are discussed

Mecanismos de dispersion de diasporas de una selva decidua en Venezuela

The predommant life-forms in a deciduous forest of northem Venezuela are found to be phanerophytes, lianas and chamaephytes. The dispersal mechanisms in this forest are anemochory (42%), zoochory (30%), barochory (19%), and autochory (9%). The distribution of dispersal mechanisms is a function of topography and the stratification of vegetation; anemochory dominates at higher elevations and in the upper strata of vegetation, whereas zoochory is most common at lower elevations and in lower levels of the forest

B.R.N.O. Contributions #38 Times of minima

This paper presents observations of eclipsing binaries acquired by members and cooperating observers of the Variable Star and Exoplanet Section of Czech Astronomical Society (B.R.N.O. observing project). Paper contains 3417 times of minima for 969 objects. It was obtained by 80 observers during 2011 – 2013 period. Some neglected southern eclipsing binaries and newly discovered stars by the observers of project B.R.N.O. are included in the list. New accurate ephemerides have been found for 447 binary systems. Time of primary minimum of long period variable eps Aur is presented as wellFil: Hoňková, K. Variable Star and Exoplanet Section of Czech Astronomical Society; República Checa. Observatory and Planetarium of Johann Palisa; República ChecaFil: Juryšek, J. Variable Star and Exoplanet Section of Czech Astronomical Society; República Checa. Observatory and Planetarium of Johann Palisa; República ChecaFil: Lehký, M. Variable Star and Exoplanet Section of Czech Astronomical Society; República Checa. Astronomical Society at Hradec Kralove; República ChecaFil: Šmelcer, L. Variable Star and Exoplanet Section of Czech Astronomical Society; República Checa. Valašské Meziříčí Observatory; República ChecaFil: Trnka, J. Variable Star and Exoplanet Section of Czech Astronomical Society; República Checa. City Observatory Slaný; República ChecaFil: Colazo, C. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; Argentina. Estación Astrofísica Bosque Alegre; ArgentinaFil: Guzzo, P. Estación Astrofísica Bosque Alegre; ArgentinaFil: Mina, Federico Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Quinones, C. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Taormina, M. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Melia, R. Observatorio Remoto Bosque Alegre; ArgentinaFil: Schneiter, Ernesto Matías. Estación Astrofísica Bosque Alegre; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Scavuzzo, Alan Martin. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Marcionni, M. Estación Astrofísica Bosque Alegre; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, L. Estación Astrofísica Bosque Alegre; ArgentinaFil: Fasseta, G. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Suarez, N. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Vilášek, M. Observatory and Planetarium of Johann Palisa; República ChecaFil: Rozehnal, J.. Štefánik Observatory; República ChecaFil: Kalisch, T. Variable Star and Exoplanet Section of Czech Astronomical Society; República Checa. Observatory and Planetarium of Johann Palisa; República ChecaFil: Lang, K.. Klokkerholm; DinamarcaFil: Gorková, S. ALTAN.Observatory; República ChecaFil: Novysedlák, R. Námestie sv. Martina; EslovaquiaFil: Salvaggio, F. Gruppo Astrofili Catanesi; ItaliaFil: Smyčka, T. Variable Star and Exoplanet Section of Czech Astronomical Society; República Checa. City Observatory Slaný; República ChecaFil: Spurný, M. Nejdlova 16; República ChecaFil: Wikander, T. Ornäs Backyard; República ChecaFil: Mravik, J. Slobodana Jajića 16; República ChecaFil: Šuchaň, J. Kraskova 12; EslovaquiaFil: Čaloud, J.. V Dolině 211; República Chec