Enhanced transport protocols

The book presents mechanisms, protocols, and system architectures to achieve end-to-end Quality-of-Service (QoS) over heterogeneous wired/wireless networks in the Internet. Particular focus is on measurement techniques, traffic engineering mechanisms and protocols, signalling protocols as well as transport protocol extensions to support fairness and QoS. It shows how those mechanisms and protocols can be combined into a comprehensive end-to-end QoS architecture to support QoS in the Internet over heterogeneous wired/wireless access networks. Finally, techniques for evaluation of QoS mechanisms such as simulation and emulation are presented. The book is aimed at graduate and post-graduate students in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering with focus in data communications and networking as well as for professionals working in this area

Relationships among slurry characteristics and gaseous emissions at different types of commercial Spanish pig farms

[EN] This study aimed to analyse several factors of variation of slurry composition and to establish prediction equations for potential methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3) emissions. Seventy-nine feed and slurry samples were collected at two seasons (summer and winter) from commercial pig farms sited at two Spanish regions (Centre and Mediterranean). Nursery, growing-fattening, gestating and lactating facilities were sampled. Feed and slurry composition were determined, and potential CH4 and NH3 emissions measured at laboratory. Feed nutrient contents were used as covariates in the analysis. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was evaluated as a predicting tool for slurry composition and potential gaseous emissions. A wide variability was found both in feed and slurry composition. Mediterranean farms had a higher pH (p<0.001) and ash (p=0.02) concentration than those located at the Centre of Spain. Also, type of farm affected ether extract content of the slurry (p=0.02), with highest values obtained for the youngest animal facilities. Results suggested a buffer effect of dietary fibre on slurry pH and a direct relationship (p<0.05) with fibre constituents of manure. Dietary protein content did not affect slurry nitrogen content but decreased (p=0.003) total and volatile solids concentration. Prediction models of potential NH3 emissions (R2=0.89) and CH4 yield (R2=0.61) were obtained from slurry composition. Predictions from NIRS showed a high accuracy for most slurry constituents (R2 above 0.90) and similar accuracy of prediction of potential NH3 and CH4 emissions (R2=0.84 and 0.68, respectively) to models using slurry characteristics, which can be of interest to estimate emissions from commercial farms and establish mitigation strategies or optimize biogas production.This research was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (project AGL2011-30023) and the Valencian Government (Project ACOMP/2013/118).Beccaccia, A.; Ferrer Riera, P.; Ibáñez, MÁ.; Estellés, F.; Rodríguez, C.; Moset, V.; Blas, CD.... (2015). Relationships among slurry characteristics and gaseous emissions at different types of commercial Spanish pig farms. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research. 13(1):1-15. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2015131-6575S115131Aarnink, A. J. A., & Verstegen, M. W. A. (2007). Nutrition, key factor to reduce environmental load from pig production. Livestock Science, 109(1-3), 194-203. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2007.01.112Alvarez-Rodriguez, J., Hermida, B., Parera, J., Morazán, H., Balcells, J., & Babot, D. (2013). The influence of drinker device on water use and fertiliser value of slurry from growing-finishing pigs. Animal Production Science, 53(4), 328. doi:10.1071/an12136Angelidaki, I., & Sanders, W. (2004). Assessment of the anaerobic biodegradability of macropollutants. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology, 3(2), 117-129. doi:10.1007/s11157-004-2502-3AOAC, 2000. Official methods of analysis, 15th ed. (Harwitte W, Ed.). Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Washington, USA.APHA, 2005. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Centennial Edition, Baltimore, MD, USA.Barnes, R. J., Dhanoa, M. S., & Lister, S. J. (1989). Standard Normal Variate Transformation and De-Trending of Near-Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectra. Applied Spectroscopy, 43(5), 772-777. doi:10.1366/0003702894202201Bietresato, M., & Sartori, L. (2013). Technical aspects concerning the detection of animal waste nutrient content via its electrical characteristics. Bioresource Technology, 132, 127-136. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2012.12.184Bindelle, J., Buldgen, A., Delacollette, M., Wavreille, J., Agneessens, R., Destain, J. P., & Leterme, P. (2009). Influence of source and concentrations of dietary fiber on in vivo nitrogen excretion pathways in pigs as reflected by in vitro fermentation and nitrogen incorporation by fecal bacteria123. Journal of Animal Science, 87(2), 583-593. doi:10.2527/jas.2007-0717Box GEP, Cox DR, 1964. An analysis of transformations. J R Stat Soc B 26: 211-246.Canh TT, Verstegen MWA, Aarnink AJA, Schrama JW, 1997. Influence of dietary factors on nitrogen partitioning and composition of urine and faeces of fattening pigs. J Anim Sci 75: 700-706.Canh, T. ., Aarnink, A. J. ., Schutte, J. ., Sutton, A., Langhout, D. ., & Verstegen, M. W. . (1998). Dietary protein affects nitrogen excretion and ammonia emission from slurry of growing–finishing pigs. Livestock Production Science, 56(3), 181-191. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(98)00156-0Chen, L., Xing, L., Han, L., & Yang, Z. (2009). Evaluation of physicochemical models for rapidly estimating pig manure nutrient content. Biosystems Engineering, 103(3), 313-320. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2009.04.007Conn, K. L., Topp, E., & Lazarovits, G. (2007). Factors Influencing the Concentration of Volatile Fatty Acids, Ammonia, and Other Nutrients in Stored Liquid Pig Manure. Journal of Environment Quality, 36(2), 440. doi:10.2134/jeq2006.0222Dinuccio, E., Berg, W., & Balsari, P. (2008). Gaseous emissions from the storage of untreated slurries and the fractions obtained after mechanical separation. Atmospheric Environment, 42(10), 2448-2459. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.12.022Doublet, J., Boulanger, A., Ponthieux, A., Laroche, C., Poitrenaud, M., & Cacho Rivero, J. A. (2013). Predicting the biochemical methane potential of wide range of organic substrates by near infrared spectroscopy. Bioresource Technology, 128, 252-258. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2012.10.044FEDNA, 2010. Tablas FEDNA de composición y valor nutritivo de alimentos para la fabricación de piensos compuestos, 3rd ed. (de Blas C, Mateos GG, García-Rebollar P, Eds). Fundación Espa-ola para el Desarrollo de la Nutrición Animal, Madrid, Spain, 502 pp.Galassi, G., Colombini, S., Malagutti, L., Crovetto, G. M., & Rapetti, L. (2010). Effects of high fibre and low protein diets on performance, digestibility, nitrogen excretion and ammonia emission in the heavy pig. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 161(3-4), 140-148. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2010.08.009Halas, D., Hansen, C. F., Hampson, D. J., Kim, J.-C., Mullan, B. P., Wilson, R. H., & Pluske, J. R. (2010). Effects of benzoic acid and inulin on ammonia–nitrogen excretion, plasma urea levels, and the pH in faeces and urine of weaner pigs. Livestock Science, 134(1-3), 243-245. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2010.06.153Hayes, E. ., Leek, A. B. ., Curran, T. ., Dodd, V. ., Carton, O. ., Beattie, V. ., & O’Doherty, J. . (2004). The influence of diet crude protein level on odour and ammonia emissions from finishing pig houses. Bioresource Technology, 91(3), 309-315. doi:10.1016/s0960-8524(03)00184-6Hernández, F., Martínez, S., López, C., Megías, M. D., López, M., & Madrid, J. (2011). Effect of dietary crude protein levels in a commercial range, on the nitrogen balance, ammonia emission and pollutant characteristics of slurry in fattening pigs. Animal, 5(8), 1290-1298. doi:10.1017/s1751731111000115Huang, G., Han, L., & Liu, X. (2007). Rapid Estimation of the Composition of Animal Manure Compost by near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy. Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, 15(6), 387-394. doi:10.1255/jnirs.745Jarret, G., Cerisuelo, A., Peu, P., Martinez, J., & Dourmad, J.-Y. (2012). Impact of pig diets with different fibre contents on the composition of excreta and their gaseous emissions and anaerobic digestion. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 160, 51-58. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2011.05.029Jørgensen, H. (2007). Methane emission by growing pigs and adult sows as influenced by fermentation. Livestock Science, 109(1-3), 216-219. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2007.01.142Jouany JP, 1982. Volatile fatty acid and alcohol determination in digestive contents, silage juices, bacterial cultures and anaerobic fermentor contents. Sci Alimen 2: 131-144.Kerr BJ, Ziemer SL, Trabue SL, Crouse JD, Parkin TB, 2006. Manure composition of swine as affected by dietary protein and cellulose concentrations. J Anim Sci 84: 1584-1592.Kreuzer, M., Wittmann, M., Gerdemann, M. M., Hanneken, H., Abel, H., & Machmuller, A. (1999). Re-examination of the metabolizable energy contents of various rations containing different types and levels of bacterially fermentable substrates in digestibility experiments with growing pigs. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 82(1), 33-49. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0396.1999.00218.xLicitra, G., Hernandez, T. M., & Van Soest, P. J. (1996). Standardization of procedures for nitrogen fractionation of ruminant feeds. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 57(4), 347-358. doi:10.1016/0377-8401(95)00837-3Liu, Z., Powers, W., & Liu, H. (2013). Greenhouse gas emissions from swine operations: Evaluation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change approaches through meta-analysis1. Journal of Animal Science, 91(8), 4017-4032. doi:10.2527/jas.2012-6147Malley, D. F., Yesmin, L., & Eilers, R. G. (2002). Rapid Analysis of Hog Manure and Manure-amended Soils Using Near-infrared Spectroscopy. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 66(5), 1677. doi:10.2136/sssaj2002.1677Martinez-Suller L, Provolo G, Carton OT, Brennan D, Kirwan L, Richards KG, 2010. The composition of dirty water on dairy farms in Ireland. Irish J Agr Food Res 49: 67-80.Mertens DR, 2002. Gravimetric determination of amylase-treated neutral detergent fibre in feeds with refluxing beakers or crucibles: collaborative study. J AOAC Int 85: 1217-1240.Møller, H. B., Sommer, S. G., & Ahring, B. K. (2004). Methane productivity of manure, straw and solid fractions of manure. Biomass and Bioenergy, 26(5), 485-495. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2003.08.008Møller, H. B., Sommer, S. G., & Ahring, B. K. (2004). Biological Degradation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions during Pre-Storage of Liquid Animal Manure. Journal of Environment Quality, 33(1), 27. doi:10.2134/jeq2004.2700Montalvo, G., Morales, J., Pineiro, C., Godbout, S., & Bigeriego, M. (2013). Effect of different dietary strategies on gas emissions and growth performance in post- weaned piglets. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(4), 1016. doi:10.5424/sjar/2013114-3185Moral, R., Perez-Murcia, M. D., Perez-Espinosa, A., Moreno-Caselles, J., Paredes, C., & Rufete, B. (2008). Salinity, organic content, micronutrients and heavy metals in pig slurries from South-eastern Spain. Waste Management, 28(2), 367-371. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2007.01.009Pereira, J., Misselbrook, T. H., Chadwick, D. R., Coutinho, J., & Trindade, H. (2012). Effects of temperature and dairy cattle excreta characteristics on potential ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from housing: A laboratory study. Biosystems Engineering, 112(2), 138-150. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2012.03.011Portejoie, S., Dourmad, J. Y., Martinez, J., & Lebreton, Y. (2004). Effect of lowering dietary crude protein on nitrogen excretion, manure composition and ammonia emission from fattening pigs. Livestock Production Science, 91(1-2), 45-55. doi:10.1016/j.livprodsci.2004.06.013Reeves, J. B. (2007). The present status of «quick tests» for on-farm analysis with emphasis on manures and soil: What is available and what is lacking? Livestock Science, 112(3), 224-231. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2007.09.009Saeys, W., Mouazen, A. M., & Ramon, H. (2005). Potential for Onsite and Online Analysis of Pig Manure using Visible and Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy. Biosystems Engineering, 91(4), 393-402. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2005.05.001Sánchez, M., & González, J. L. (2005). The fertilizer value of pig slurry. I. Values depending on the type of operation. Bioresource Technology, 96(10), 1117-1123. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2004.10.002Shenk JS, Westerhaus MO, 1996. Calibration of ISI way. In: Near infrared spectroscopy: the future waves (Davies AMC, Williams P, eds). NIR Publ., Chichester, West Sussex, UK, pp: 198-202.Snoek, D. J. W., Stigter, J. D., Ogink, N. W. M., & Groot Koerkamp, P. W. G. (2014). Sensitivity analysis of mechanistic models for estimating ammonia emission from dairy cow urine puddles. Biosystems Engineering, 121, 12-24. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2014.02.003Soares, M., & Lopez-Bote, C. . (2002). Effects of dietary lecithin and fat unsaturation on nutrient utilisation in weaned piglets. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 95(3-4), 169-177. doi:10.1016/s0377-8401(01)00324-8Sørensen, L. K., Sørensen, P., & Birkmose, T. S. (2007). Application of Reflectance Near Infrared Spectroscopy for Animal Slurry Analyses. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 71(4), 1398. doi:10.2136/sssaj2006.330Tamminga, S. (2003). Pollution due to nutrient losses and its control in European animal production. Livestock Production Science, 84(2), 101-111. doi:10.1016/j.livprodsci.2003.09.008Triolo, J. M., Sommer, S. G., Møller, H. B., Weisbjerg, M. R., & Jiang, X. Y. (2011). A new algorithm to characterize biodegradability of biomass during anaerobic digestion: Influence of lignin concentration on methane production potential. Bioresource Technology, 102(20), 9395-9402. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.07.026Triolo, J. M., Ward, A. J., Pedersen, L., Løkke, M. M., Qu, H., & Sommer, S. G. (2014). Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) for rapid determination of biochemical methane potential of plant biomass. Applied Energy, 116, 52-57. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.11.006Van Soest, P. J., Robertson, J. B., & Lewis, B. A. (1991). Methods for Dietary Fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber, and Nonstarch Polysaccharides in Relation to Animal Nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science, 74(10), 3583-3597. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(91)78551-2Van Soest PJ, 1994. Nutritional ecology of the ruminant, 2nd edition. Cornell Univ Press, USA, 476 pp.Vedrenne, F., Béline, F., Dabert, P., & Bernet, N. (2008). The effect of incubation conditions on the laboratory measurement of the methane producing capacity of livestock wastes. Bioresource Technology, 99(1), 146-155. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2006.11.043Von Heimendahl, E., Breves, G., & Abel, H. (2010). Fiber-related digestive processes in three different breeds of pigs12. Journal of Animal Science, 88(3), 972-981. doi:10.2527/jas.2009-2370Williams PC, Sobering D, 1996. How do we do it: a brief summary of the methods we use in developing near infrared calibrations. In: Near infrared spectroscopy: the future waves (Davies AMC, Williams P, eds). NIR Publ., Chichester, West Sussex, UK, pp: 185-188.Williams PC, 2001. Implementation of near-infrared technology. In: Near-infrared technology in the agricultural and food industries, 2nd ed (Williams PC, Norris K, Eds.). Am Assoc Cereal Chemists Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA, pp: 145-169.Yagüe, M. R., Bosch-Serra, À. D., & Boixadera, J. (2012). Measurement and estimation of the fertiliser value of pig slurry by physicochemical models: Usefulness and constraints. Biosystems Engineering, 111(2), 206-216. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2011.11.013W. Ye, J. C. Lorimor, C. Hurburgh, H. Zhang, & J. Hattey. (2005). APPLICATION OF NEAR-INFRARED REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY FOR DETERMINATION OF NUTRIENT CONTENTS IN LIQUID AND SOLID MANURES. Transactions of the ASAE, 48(5), 1911-1918. doi:10.13031/2013.2000

Measurement of the neutron flux at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory with HENSA

We have performed a long-term measurement of the neutron flux with the High Efficiency Neutron Spectrometry Array HENSA in the Hall A of the Canfranc Underground Laboratory. The Hall A measurement campaign lasted from October 2019 to March 2021, demonstrating an excellent stability of the HENSA setup. Preliminary results on the neutron flux from this campaign are presented for the first time. In Phase 1 (113 live days) a total neutron flux of 1.66(2) $\times$10$^{-5}$ cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ is obtained. Our results are in good agreement with those from our previous shorter measurement where a reduced experimental setup was employed.Comment: Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics (TAUP 2021

First results from the HENSA/ANAIS collaboration at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory

The HENSA/ANAIS collaboration aims for the precise determination of the neutron flux that could affect ANAIS-112, an experiment looking for the dark matter annual modulation using NaI(Tl) scintillators. In this work, the first measurements of the neutron flux and Monte Carlo simulations of the neutron spectrum are reported

Revealing the last 13,500 years of environmental history from the multiproxy record of a mountain lake (Lago Enol, northern Iberian Peninsula)

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10933-009-9387-7.We present the Holocene sequence from Lago Enol (43°16′N, 4°59′W, 1,070 m a.s.l.), Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain. A multiproxy analysis provided comprehensive information about regional humidity and temperature changes. The analysis included sedimentological descriptions, physical properties, organic carbon and carbonate content, mineralogy and geochemical composition together with biological proxies including diatom and ostracod assemblages. A detailed pollen study enabled reconstruction of variations in vegetation cover, which were interpreted in the context of climate changes and human impact. Four distinct stages were recognized for the last 13,500 years: (1) a cold and dry episode that includes the Younger Dryas event (13,500–11,600 cal. year BP); (2) a humid and warmer period characterizing the onset of the Holocene (11,600–8,700 cal. year BP); (3) a tendency toward a drier climate during the middle Holocene (8,700–4,650 cal. year BP); and (4) a return to humid conditions following landscape modification by human activity (pastoral activities, deforestation) in the late Holocene (4,650–2,200 cal. year BP). Superimposed on relatively stable landscape conditions (e.g. maintenance of well established forests), the typical environmental variability of the southern European region is observed at this site.The Spanish Inter-Ministry Commission of Science and Technology (CICYT), the Spanish National Parks agency, the European Commission, the Spanish Ministry of Science, and the European Social Fund

Revealing the last 13,500 years of environmental history from the multiproxy record of a mountain lake (Lago Enol, northern Iberian Peninsula)

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10933-009-9387-7.We present the Holocene sequence from Lago Enol (43°16′N, 4°59′W, 1,070 m a.s.l.), Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain. A multiproxy analysis provided comprehensive information about regional humidity and temperature changes. The analysis included sedimentological descriptions, physical properties, organic carbon and carbonate content, mineralogy and geochemical composition together with biological proxies including diatom and ostracod assemblages. A detailed pollen study enabled reconstruction of variations in vegetation cover, which were interpreted in the context of climate changes and human impact. Four distinct stages were recognized for the last 13,500 years: (1) a cold and dry episode that includes the Younger Dryas event (13,500–11,600 cal. year BP); (2) a humid and warmer period characterizing the onset of the Holocene (11,600–8,700 cal. year BP); (3) a tendency toward a drier climate during the middle Holocene (8,700–4,650 cal. year BP); and (4) a return to humid conditions following landscape modification by human activity (pastoral activities, deforestation) in the late Holocene (4,650–2,200 cal. year BP). Superimposed on relatively stable landscape conditions (e.g. maintenance of well established forests), the typical environmental variability of the southern European region is observed at this site.The Spanish Inter-Ministry Commission of Science and Technology (CICYT), the Spanish National Parks agency, the European Commission, the Spanish Ministry of Science, and the European Social Fund

HVOF-Deposited WCCoCr as Replacement for Hard Cr in Landing Gear Actuators

WCCoCr coatings deposited by HVOF can replace hard Cr on landing gear components. Powders with two different WC particle sizes (micro and nano-) and geometries have been employed to study the effects on the coating’s properties. Moreover, coatings produced employing two sets of parameters resulting in high and low flame temperatures have been evaluated. Minor differences in microstructure and morphology were observed for the two powders employing the same spraying parameters, but the nano-sized powder exhibited a higher spraying efficiency. However, more significant microstructural changes result when the low- and high-energy spray parameters are used. Moreover, results of various tests which include adhesion, wear, salt fog corrosion resistance, liquid immersion, and axial fatigue strength, indicate that the coatings produced with high-energy flame are similar in behavior. On the other hand, the nanostructured low-energy flame coating exhibited a significantly lower salt fog corrosion resistanc

Common variations in estrogen-related genes are associated with severe large-joint osteoarthritis: a multicenter genetic and functional study

OBJECTIVE: Several lines of evidence suggest that estrogens influence the development of osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to explore the association of two common polymorphisms within the aromatase (CYP19A1) and estrogen receptor (ER) alpha (ESR1) genes with severe OA of the lower limbs. METHODS: The rs1062033 (CYP19A1) and rs2234693 (ESR1) single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in 5528 individuals (3147 patients with severe hip or knee OA, and 2381 controls) from four centres in Spain and the United Kingdom. Gene expression was measured in femoral bone samples from a group of patients. RESULTS: In the global analysis, both polymorphisms were associated with OA, but there was a significant sex interaction. The GG genotype at rs1062033 was associated with an increased risk of knee OA in women [odds ratio (OR) 1.23; P=0.04]. The CC genotype at rs2234693 tended to be associated with reduced OA risk in women (OR 0.76, P=0.028, for knee OA; OR=0.84, P=0.076 for hip OA), but with increased risk of hip OA in men (OR 1.28; P=0.029). Women with unfavourable genotypes at both loci had an OR of 1.61 for knee OA (P=0.006). The rs1062033 genotype associated with higher OA risk was also associated with reduced expression of the aromatase gene in bone. CONCLUSIONS: Common genetic variations of the aromatase and ER genes are associated with the risk of severe OA of the large joints of the lower limb in a sex-specific manner. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that estrogen activity may influence the development of large-joint OA

Planck 2013 results. XXII. Constraints on inflation

We analyse the implications of the Planck data for cosmic inflation. The Planck nominal mission temperature anisotropy measurements, combined with the WMAP large-angle polarization, constrain the scalar spectral index to be ns = 0:9603 _ 0:0073, ruling out exact scale invariance at over 5_: Planck establishes an upper bound on the tensor-to-scalar ratio of r < 0:11 (95% CL). The Planck data thus shrink the space of allowed standard inflationary models, preferring potentials with V00 < 0. Exponential potential models, the simplest hybrid inflationary models, and monomial potential models of degree n _ 2 do not provide a good fit to the data. Planck does not find statistically significant running of the scalar spectral index, obtaining dns=dln k = 0:0134 _ 0:0090. We verify these conclusions through a numerical analysis, which makes no slowroll approximation, and carry out a Bayesian parameter estimation and model-selection analysis for a number of inflationary models including monomial, natural, and hilltop potentials. For each model, we present the Planck constraints on the parameters of the potential and explore several possibilities for the post-inflationary entropy generation epoch, thus obtaining nontrivial data-driven constraints. We also present a direct reconstruction of the observable range of the inflaton potential. Unless a quartic term is allowed in the potential, we find results consistent with second-order slow-roll predictions. We also investigate whether the primordial power spectrum contains any features. We find that models with a parameterized oscillatory feature improve the fit by __2 e_ _ 10; however, Bayesian evidence does not prefer these models. We constrain several single-field inflation models with generalized Lagrangians by combining power spectrum data with Planck bounds on fNL. Planck constrains with unprecedented accuracy the amplitude and possible correlation (with the adiabatic mode) of non-decaying isocurvature fluctuations. The fractional primordial contributions of cold dark matter (CDM) isocurvature modes of the types expected in the curvaton and axion scenarios have upper bounds of 0.25% and 3.9% (95% CL), respectively. In models with arbitrarily correlated CDM or neutrino isocurvature modes, an anticorrelated isocurvature component can improve the _2 e_ by approximately 4 as a result of slightly lowering the theoretical prediction for the ` <_ 40 multipoles relative to the higher multipoles. Nonetheless, the data are consistent with adiabatic initial conditions

Patient preferences and treatment safety for uncomplicated vulvovaginal candidiasis in primary health care

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vaginitis is a common complaint in primary care. In uncomplicated candidal vaginitis, there are no differences in effectiveness between oral or vaginal treatment. Some studies describe that the preferred treatment is the oral one, but a Cochrane's review points out inconsistencies associated with the report of the preferred way that limit the use of such data. Risk factors associated with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis still remain controversial.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This work describes a protocol of a multicentric prospective observational study with one year follow up, to describe the women's reasons and preferences to choose the way of administration (oral vs topical) in the treatment of not complicated candidal vaginitis. The number of women required is 765, they are chosen by consecutive sampling. All of whom are aged 16 and over with vaginal discharge and/or vaginal pruritus, diagnosed with not complicated vulvovaginitis in Primary Care in Madrid.</p> <p>The main outcome variable is the preferences of the patients in treatment choice; secondary outcome variables are time to symptoms relief and adverse reactions and the frequency of recurrent vulvovaginitis and the risk factors. In the statistical analysis, for the main objective will be descriptive for each of the variables, bivariant analysis and multivariate analysis (logistic regression).. The dependent variable being the type of treatment chosen (oral or topical) and the independent, the variables that after bivariant analysis, have been associated to the treatment preference.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Clinical decisions, recommendations, and practice guidelines must not only attend to the best available evidence, but also to the values and preferences of the informed patient.</p