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Due to their complex structure and traditional low-intensity management, Portuguese oak woodland rangelands known as montados are often considered high nature value (HNV) farming systems, and as such, they may be deemed eligible for subsidies and incentives by governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Too little is known about how the HNV concept might be applied to conserve complex silvopastoral systems. These systems, due to their structural and functional complexity at multiple scales, tend to support high levels of biodiversity. Montados are in sharp decline as a result of the rapid specialization of land management that, through simplification, undermines multifunctionality. Understanding how changes in management influence these systems and their biodiversity is needed for prioritizing conservation efforts and for ensuring they remain HNV systems. On the basis of a field survey in 58 plots distributed among 29 paddocks on 17 farms, we conducted an integrated analysis of the relationship between grazing intensity and biodiversity in montados of similar biophysical and structural characteristics. Data on management were obtained through interviews, and biodiversity data (vegetation, macrofungi, birds, herpetofauna) were obtained through specific field protocols. Additional spatial data, such as soil characteristics, slope, land cover, and linear landscape elements, were also analyzed. The results show no overall biodiversity variation as a result of different management practices. However, different groups of species react differently to specific management practices, and within a pasture, grazing impacts are heterogenous. In low grazing intensity plots, macrofungi species richness was found to be higher, while bird species richness was lower. Using tree regeneration as proxy for montado sustainability, results show less tree regeneration in areas with higher forage quality and more intense grazing. Pathways for future progress are proposed, including creating areas within a paddock that attract grazing away from where regeneration is desired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from a field theory action that describes a Dirac fermion, we propose and analyze a model based on a low-relativistic Pauli equation coupled to a torsion-like term to study Spin Hall Effect (SHE). We point out a very particular connection between the modified Pauli equation and the (SHE), where what we refer to torsion as field playing an important role in the spin-orbit (SO) coupling process. In this scenario, we present a proposal of a spin-type current, considering the tiny contributions of torsion in connection with intrinsic anisotropy of the crystal electric field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Montados form a heterogeneous landscape of wooded matrix dominated by cork and/or holm oak with open areas characterized by fuzzy boundaries. Montado supports a high biological diversity associated to low intensity management and a landscape diversity provided by a continuous gradient of land cover. Among other features this permits the classification of montados as a High Nature Value (HNV) system. We assessed the role of birds as HNV indicators for montado, and tested several bird groups-farmland, edge, forest generalists and forest specialists species; and some universal indicators such as species conservation status, Shannon's diversity index and species richness. Our study areas covered the North-South distribution of cork oak in Portugal, and we surveyed the breeding bird communities across 117 sampling sites. In addition to variables related to management and sanitary status, we considered variables that characterize the landscape heterogeneity inside the montado-trees and shrub density and richness of woody vegetation. Our results suggest that specific bird guilds can be used as HNV indicators of particular typologies of montado, and highlight the need to develop an indicator that could be transversally applied to all types of montado. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing research regarding the influence of intra oral devices over sportive performance [1,2]. There is however an unclear definition of the intermaxillary relation during athletes activity and its influence upon the performance. This theme is absent across the scientific research and should be the starting key point on this kind of study. Our goal is to create and assess an experimental setup to determine the intermaxillary relation in surfers during take off - getting up on the surfboard. Ten male adults free surfers were invited for this study. We applied a standard questionnaire about intermaxillary relation during sports. Two possible setups were tested in terms of distance to capture the masticatory muscles in video of 5 take offs; we used a Cannon®️ 77 D on a tripod first at a distance of 1 m from a white tape placed on the floor perpendicularly to the body of the surfer facing down, where both hands were placed while he was laying on the ground ready for take off. Then we gave them a signal to execute the takeoff and all was recorded on video for posterior slow motion analysis. The exact same procedure was done a second time for a distance of 2 metres. This case series study was approved by the Egas Moniz Ethical Committee and each patient signed previously an informed consent. All the assumptions of the Helsinki Declaration have been fulfilled. Comparing the 2 setups, it was unclear, in terms of image analysis, the setup with the 1 m distance, becoming clear, in terms of muscle contraction, the 2 metres distance. Even so, the comparison between the standard questionnaire about intermaxillary relation and the video captured is highly variable and somewhat confusing, presenting some analysis limitations, giving us a clear notion that we need another mean of instrumental analysis about the intermaxillary position of the surfers. It is clear to us the high variability of the intermaxillary position of athletes during take off as the lack of self perception on their practice. It is mandatory to design a setup to have an instrumental analysis like electromyography to confirm masticatory muscle contraction and validate the possible influence or relation between intermaxillary relation and sportive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Sports Dental Medicine is a preventive multidisciplinary and specific area which allows oral health and the treatment of oral cavity diseases that can interfere with physical performance [1]. Dental caries are a chronic disease with high prevalence and results from the dental demineralization in acidic environment initiated by micro-organisms [2]. In endurance sports it is very common to increase the intake of carbohydrates which are essential for an adequate performance [3]. This high intake of carbohydrates may lead to a decrease in oral pH, which in turn can promote enamel demineralization, exposing the individual to higher cariogenic risk [4]. The main goal of the present investigation was to estimate the prevalence of dental caries in endurance sports athletes. Materials and methods: This transversal and observational study was approved by Egas Moniz Ethical Committee (process number 531). The sample (n = 65) consisted of male and female individuals and after given informed consent, the type of exercise and feeding practiced by the participants was recorded as well as an oral exam to observe the decayed, missing and filled index (DMF). The cariogenic risk was obtained using the software Cariogram®. Collected data were analysed through descriptive statistics measures using frequency, dispersion and central tendency models. Results: In the sample of 65 athletes, 55% were male and were 31.5 years old (±0.71 years). The CPOD was 5.3 (±2.12). The results showed that 66% of the athletes had high risk of caries, 11% had a moderate risk of caries, 23% had a low risk of caries. In the sample, 52% had caries and a round 32% had loss at least one tooth due to caries. The athletes had in average 45g of carbohydrates (±28 g) within which 19g (±7.7 g) were sugars just from dietary supplements. Discussion and conclusions: It was possible to observe a high risk of caries in this sample of endurance athletes as well as a considerable incidence of this pathology. However, we did not find a relation between the risk / incidence of caries and the consumption of supplements and / or sugars and carbohydrates. We suggest the continuation of this study with the objective of increasing the study sample to confirm the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the conference paper "Casuistic of fetal and neonatal hydrops," by I. Rocha, and colleagues is presented.