Emergy analysis of a silvo-pastoral system, a case study in southern Portugal

The Mediterranean silvo-pastoral system known as Montado, in Portugal, is a complex land use system composed of an open tree stratum in various densities and an herbaceous layer, used for livestock grazing. Livestock also profit from the acorns, and the grazing contributes to avoid shrub encroachment. In the last 20 years, subsidies from the European Union have greatly promoted cattle rearing in this system and the introduction of heavy breeds, at the expense of sheep, goats or the native cattle breeds. The balance of the traditional system is thus threatened, and a precise assessment of the balance between the different components of the system, therefore is highly needed. The goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of a Montado farm system with cattle rearing as the major economic activity by applying the emergy evaluation method to calculate indices of yield, investment, environmental loading and sustainability. By integrating different ecosystem components, the emergy evaluation method allows a comprehensive evaluation of this complex and multifunctional system at the scale of an individual farm. This method provides a set of indices that can help us understand the system and design management strategies that maximize emergy flow in the farm. In this paper, we apply the emergy evaluation method to a Montado farm with cattle rearing, as a way to gain a better understanding of this system at the farm scale. The value for the transformity of veal (2.66E+06 sej J−1) is slightly higher, when compared to other systems producing protein. That means that the investment of nature and man in this product was higher and it requires a premium price on the market. The renewability for Holm Oaks Farm (49 %), lower than for other similar systems, supports the assumption that this is a farm in which, comparing with others, the number of purchased inputs in relation to renewable inputs provided by nature, is higher. The Emergy Investment Ratio is 0.91 for cattle rearing compared to a value of 0.49 for cork and 0.43 for firewood harvesting, making it clear that cattle rearing is a more labor demanding activity comparing with extractive activities as cork and firewood harvesting

Infection By The Human Papillomavirus In Teenagers Sexually Active: Clinic And Subclinic Manifestations.

This research studies the association of the cervical condyloma with the intraepithelial neoplasia, during sex activity, pregnancy, diagnose methods, cytology and colposcopy in teenagers. The objective of this research is to study the propaedeutics for the uterine coli condyloma diagnose in a group of teenagers. For this purpose, we have studied 131 teenagers sexually active with ages between 14 and 19 years and presenting histologically confirmed uterine coli condyloma. Association with intraepithelial neoplasia, sexual activity duration, method of diagnose, pregnancy analysis, cytology and colposcopy results and association with vulva and vagina injuries were evaluated. The high association rate with condyloma and intraepithelial neoplasia after a short time of sexual activity and the none presence of macroscopic warts in the genital organs in 80% of cases presenting cervical condyloma, demonstrate that: a more careful investigation with colposcopy and biopsy of the inferior genitals of the women-teenagers sexually active is needed, when presenting modified cervical cytology.113494895

Body composition comparison between gender in institutionalized elderly

Este estudo teve como objetivo averiguar sobre a existência de diferenças entre sexos, da composição corporal de idosos institucionalizados.The purpose of this Study was to compare the body composition differences between gender in institutionalized elderly.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Do the strength levels predict the motor coordination in young basketball players?

O objetivo deste estudo foi averiguar sobre a existência de relação entre os níveis de força e a coordenação motora em basquetebolistas pertencentes ao escalão de sub-18.The aim of this study was to analyse the relation between the strength levels and motor coordination in young basketball players.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Do the strength levels predict the motor coordination in young basketball players?

The aim of this study was to analyse the relation between the strength levels and motor coordination in young basketball players. The sample of this study was composed by 12 basketball players with 15.83 (± 0.55) years old from the U-18 category. The players participate in the inter-regional, national championship round and national cup in 2015/2016 season. The upper limbs strength was evaluated with the push-up exercise, counting the number of repetitions in 30 seconds. The lower limbs strength was evaluated in centimetres with the horizontal jump without preparatory sprint. The motor coordination was evaluated with 6 cones separated by 1,5m in the diagonal. The athletes with ball, skirted the cones and ended with layup finalization, this exercise was measured in seconds. Spearman correlation test was accessed with a significance level of 5%. No significant correlation was observed between upper limbs strength and motor coordination (F =-0,259; p =0.208). However, a negative significant correlation was observed between lower limbs strength and coordination was observed (F =-0,539; p =0,035). Thus, basketball coaches should perform specific strength training seasons intending to improve the motor coordination. Improving strength levels may contribute for motor coordination improvement.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Quality Of Strawberry Grown In Brazilian Tropical Humid Conditions For Breeding Programs

Introduction. The preliminary study of the post-harvest quality of the fruit from strawberry cultivars in a new growing region is necessary for both farmers and consumers. The objective of the present study was to evaluate strawberry cultivars at different harvest times with regard to fruit quality aiming at the selection of possible parents for breeding programs for cultivation in the tropical humid conditions of the city Datas, in Minas Gerais State (Brazil), and in other regions with similar soil-climatic conditions. Materials and methods. The strawberry fields were cultivated on the Mape Frutas Farm, located in the city of Datas-MG. Eight cultivars ('Aromas', 'Camarosa', 'Campinas', 'Diamante', 'Dover', 'Festival', 'Oso Grande', and 'Toyonoka') were assessed in a randomized block design with a split-plot in time. Four replicates and three harvest times (June, August, and October 2012) were evaluated. Fruit from the different cultivars were analyzed for their physicochemical and antioxidant properties. Results and discussion. There was a genetic variability and the predominance of genetic factors over environmental effects for the evaluated traits. Fruits harvested at the end of the crop cycle (October) had the highest levels of total reducing sugars, vitamin C, phenols, anthocyanins, carotenoids, soluble solids, and total antioxidant activity. Cultivars Camarosa, Festival, and Toyonoka showed better fruit quality. Conclusion. Based on the genetic dissimilarity and fruit quality, the cross between 'Toyonoka' and 'Camarosa' or 'Festival' is indicated for the genetic improvement of strawberry in the region and other places with similar soil-climatic conditions. © Cirad/EDP Sciences 2016.71315116

The effect of a six months multicomponent training in elderly's body composition and functional fitness - A before-after analysis

The aim of this study was to assess the elderly’s functional fitness and body composition effects between pre and post multicomponent training program with six months of intervention. The sample of this study was composed of 34 volunteered elders with 68 (± 7.55) years old. The body composition was evaluated by a Tanita BC-545, and a functional fitness test assessed the elderly’s functional fitness. The body composition did not present significant changes between the pre- and post-exercise program intervention. The training program increased the upper limbs’ strength levels and upper body flexibility, and aerobic endurance. Different associations between body composition and functional fitness variables were found between pre and post multicomponent training program. In this study, body composition seems not to be affected. However, functional fitness in upper limbs strength, upper body flexibility, and aerobic endurance improved under six months of multicomponent training.Instituto Superior de Ciências Educativas do Douro – Penafiel, Portugal. 2Instituto Politécnico de Bragança – Bragança, Portugal. 3Research Center in Sports Health and Human Development – Covilhã, Portugal. *Correponding author: Rua Vitorino da Costa, 96, CEP: 4560-708 Penafiel, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected] Conflict of interests: Nothing to declare. Funding: This research is supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (project UIDB04045/2020), by Research Center in Sports Health and Human Development, Covilhã, Portugal and Instituto Superior de Ciências Educativas do Douroinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

SMED methodology applied to the deep drawing process in the automotive industry

The automotive industry has evolved, becoming increasingly demanding. Thus, it becomes necessary to increase the availability of equipment, reacting efficiently to be able to respond to customer requests. Nowadays, the strong development of this industry is based on three main pillars: competitiveness, product quality and response time to requests. The focus of this work is to increase the availability of a deep drawing machine with extremely high setup time, with the main objective of reducing the average setup time by 20%. This reduction is even more important when it comes to the internal setup time, the time the machine is stopped. Thus, the Single-Minute Exchange of Die technique was applied and work standards were improved to reduce the equipment setup time, increasing the machine availability, leading to a production increased output. As a result of this work, it was possible to standardize setup, reducing 38% of total machine setup time, 53% of internal setup time and increasing 7.7% of OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) availability.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Associative study between handgrip strength, body composition and functional fitness in healthy elderlies

Poor handgrip strength is associated with [1,2]. As far as our understanding goes, [1] elderly’s disability independent elderlies trend to have high levels of quality of life . Even more, body composition and functional fitness presents [2] association with quality of life . OBJECTIVE: Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the associations between body composition, functional fitness and handgrip strength. METHODS: It was hypothesized that handgrip strength is associated with elderly’s body composition and functional fitness. Forty-eight elderly subjects (10 males and 38 females) with 69.61 (± 4.21) years old volunteered for this study. All the procedures were in accord to the Helsinki’s declaration regarding human research. The handgrip strength was measured with a digital mechanical dynamometer (CAMRY, New York, USA). The functional fitness was assessed by the functional fitness [3] test . The body composition was evaluated by a bioimpedance balance (Tanita, BC-601, Illinois, USA). The spearmen’s test allowed to assess the significant associations between the handgrip strength, functional fitness and body composition.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Decrease in Bone Mass in Women After Liver Transplantation: Associated Factors

AbstractBackgroundIn the future, an increasing number of female liver transplant recipients will reach the climacteric with osteoporosis as a common complication. We evaluated the factors associated with decreased bone mass among women after liver transplantation.MethodsA prospective, cross-sectional study of 23 outpatient transplant recipients followed from February 2009 to March 2010 included women of age ≥35 years after liver transplantations ≥1 year prior. We recorded patient histories, liver enzyme levels, as well as bone mineral densities measured at the lumbar spine and femur. Statistical analysis used Fisher's exact test, simple odds ratio (OR), and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.ResultsThe mean patient age was 52.5 ± 11 years with 30.4% premenopausal, and 69.6% perimenopausal or postmenopausal. Approximately 21% showed osteoporosis and 35%, a low bone mass. Postmenopausal women: OR 69.0 (95% CI 2.89–1647.18; P < .0001), aged ≥49 years: OR 13.33 (95% CI 1.78–100.15; P = .0123) and receiving a transplant after 44 years of age: OR 49.50 (95% CI 3.84–638.43; P < .0001) were associated with a lower bone mass. Having undergone transplantation for more than 5.8 years lowered the risk of bone mass change: OR 0.11 (95% CI 0.02–0.78; P = .0361). Clinical and laboratory variables, including corticosteroid use, were not associated with decreased bone mass.ConclusionUnderstanding the prevalence and factors associated with osteoporosis among female liver transplant recipients is important to enhance the strategies to diagnose and treat these women, seeking to improve their quality of life