Precarious organizing and beyond: the case of arts and construction industry

Ongoing reconfigurations of work under contemporary global capitalism increasingly defy the centrality of the workplace for workers’ organizing. Some sectors, though, have always been challenged by the lack of a stable workplace and by the temporary nature of work relations. That is the case of the arts and construction industry which provide longstanding examples of precarious and mobile work and have been related to precarious organizing. Despite representing two distinct sectors of the workforce, they present a set of similarities that challenge the possibilities of workers’ organisation and mobilisation: the temporary, project-based nature of work; the precarious employment arrangements, often informal; the mobile nature of work activities, not linked to a fixed workplace. Based on the Portuguese context, this paper provides a comparative analysis of both sectors, arguing on their analytical significance to explore new forms of workers’ solidarity and broader terrains of struggle.N/

Distribution of herpetofauna in caves of Portuguese karst massifs

Amphibians are frequently found exploring subterranean environments. Even though in Europe there are already some reports of amphibians present in subterranean habitats, in Portugal there is a major lack of knowledge of these ecosystems, namely in the karst region. Considering the relevance of amphibians and their current conservational status, it is important to assess their presence in every potential habitat. In order to provide further knowledge over this subject a preliminary survey was carried out in two Portuguese karst massifs, Estremenho and Sicó. A total of 24 caves were surveyed and as result three species (Tarentola mauritanica; Salamandra salamandra and Pleorodeles waltl) were found in Estremenho karst massif, and two species (Triturus marmoratus and Bufo bufo) were observed in Sicó karst massif. Furthermore, evidences were found that P. waltl uses caves for reproduction, which had only been reported once in Spain. This allowed perceiving that herpetofauna species occupy caves of Portuguese karst massifs and are also using them as reproduction sites

Marine organism sulfated polysaccharides exhibiting significant antimalarial activity and inhibition of red blood cell invasion by Plasmodium

The antimalarial activity of heparin, against which there are no resistances known, has not been therapeutically exploited due to its potent anticoagulating activity. Here, we have explored the antiplasmodial capacity of heparin-like sulfated polysaccharides from the sea cucumbers Ludwigothurea grisea and Isostichopus badionotus, from the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis, and from the marine sponge Desmapsamma anchorata. In vitro experiments demonstrated for most compounds significant inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth at low-anticoagulant concentrations. This activity was found to operate through inhibition of erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium, likely mediated by a coating of the parasite similar to that observed for heparin. In vivo four-day suppressive tests showed that several of the sulfated polysaccharides improved the survival of Plasmodium yoelii-infected mice. In one animal treated with I. badionotus fucan parasitemia was reduced from 10.4% to undetectable levels, and Western blot analysis revealed the presence of antibodies against P. yoelii antigens in its plasma. The retarded invasion mediated by sulfated polysaccharides, and the ensuing prolonged exposure of Plasmodium to the immune system, can be explored for the design of new therapeutic approaches against malaria where heparin-related polysaccharides of low anticoagulating activity could play a dual role as drugs and as potentiators of immune responses

Comuns urbanos em Lisboa: formas de trabalho não mercantilizado em espaços alternativos

Retomando os princípios de que o trabalho não é inerentemente uma mercadoria e que os recursos comuns são também consequência de uma prática política, este artigo analisa quatro espaços comunitários na cidade de Lisboa com o objetivo de compreender os comuns no contexto urbano. Com base em entrevistas semiestruturadas a participantes e ativistas desses projetos e, complementarmente, observação participante, analisamos as motivações dos mesmos e as condições em que realizam o seu trabalho. Destacam-se dos resultados a centralidade assumida pela ideia de comunidade e a realização individual e social dos participantes nos espaços estudados.Returning to the principles that work is not inherently a commodity and that common resources are also the consequence of political practice, this article analyzes four communitarian spaces in the city of Lisbon with the aim of understanding the commons in an urban context. Based on semi-structured interviews with participants and activists of these projects and, complimentarily, participant observation, we analyzed their motivations and the conditions in which they carried out their work. The results highlight the centrality of the idea of community and the individual and social fulfilment of the participants in the spaces studied

Right ventricular lead in cardiac resynchronization therapy : what is the most electrically favorable stimulation site?

© The European Society of Cardiology 2018. All rights reserved.Introduction: The most recent studies in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) have been focused on attempts to improve response rate, such as the determination of the optimal placement of the left ventricular (LV) lead. The position of the LV lead guided by the site of latest electrical delay (ED), seems to be a promising strategy. The same strategy may be useful in assessing the ideal positioning of right ventricular (RV) lead in CRT. Purpose: To determine the most favorable position of the RV lead (septal versus apical) in CRT, by measuring the ED of the LV poles during septal or apical RV pacing in patients with triple-site CRT (TRIV). Methods: A single-center prospective study of consecutive patients (Oct. 2014 to Oct. 2017) submited to CRT device implantation (Quadra Allure MPTM, which allows post-implantation ED measurement) in TRIV mode - with a quadripolar lead in the LV, a RV lead positioned at the septum and a RV lead at the apex. In the follow-up, the lead position was confirmed and determined by fluoroscopic evaluation (anterior, lateral and postero-lateral in the short axis and basal, mid and apical on the long axis). The ED was measured at the 4-pole LV lead, during apical and septal RV pacing and the relation between the ED and lead position was evaluated. Results: Twenty two patients were included: 82% male, median age 78 years; 50% implanted CRT with defibrillator; 27% had ischemic heart disease and 73% non-ischemic etiology; all patients had permanent atrial fibrillation and the QRS duration was of 176±29ms. The position of the LE lead poles was classified as lateral in 44% and postero-lateral in 56%, basal in 28%, medial in 39% and apical in 34%. We evaluated 160 ED. The mean ED between the apical RV lead and the LV poles was significantly higher than the delay between septal RV lead and the LV poles [161±33ms vs 75±45ms (p<0.001)]. This difference remained significant in LV poles located in a lateral position (76±62 vs. 166±36ms; p<0.001) or in a postero-lateral position (74±30 vs. 157±31ms; p<0.001); the same ocurred for LV poles in a basal (99±62 vs. 179±24ms, p<0.001), mid (72±38 vs. 167±31ms, p<0.001) and apical location (57±24 vs. 140±32ms, p<0.001). Conclusion: The LV lead position is an important determinant of the success of CRT, but is conditioned by anatomical and technical characteristics. The optimization of CRT may then depend on the positioning of RV lead. This study demonstrated that the apical (vs. septal) RV lead positioning presents higher ED in relation to LV lead, regardless of the latter position.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Motor and cognitive deficits in the heterozygous leaner mouse, a Cav2.1 voltage-gated Ca2+ channel mutant

Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, in the online version, at doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.The leaner mutation in mice affects the Ca(v)2.1 voltage-gated calcium channel alpha(1A)-subunit gene (Cacna1a), causing a reduction in calcium currents predominantly in Purkinje cells. This reduction in calcium currents causes severe progressive cerebellar ataxia, beginning around postnatal day 10, in homozygous leaner mice (tg(la)/tg(la)), while their heterozygous littermates (tg(la)/+) present no obvious behavioral deficits. In humans, heterozygous mutations in the Cacna1a orthologous gene produce a broad range of neurological manifestations. To evaluate the phenotypic status of the tg(la)/+ animals, we assessed motor performance and cognition, at different ages, in these mutant mice. We were able to observe age-dependent impairment in motor and cognitive tasks; balance and motor learning deficits were found in demanding tasks on the rotarod and on the hanging wire test, while spatial learning and memory impairment was observed in the Morris water maze. Progressive dysfunction in escape reflexes, indicative of neurological impairment, was also present in tg(la)/+ animals. Although not presenting major motor alterations, tg(la)/+ mice show age-dependent motor and cognitive deficits.We would like to thank Carolina Lemos for her help with statistical analysis and Victor Mendes for image technical assistance. This work was supported by research grants POCTI/MGI/34517/00, POCTI/NSE/45352/2002 and POCI/SAU-MMO/56387/2004, FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) and co-funded by FEDER. I.A. is recipient of a scholarship from FCT, Portugal

Molecular epidemiology, virulence traits and antimicrobial resistance signatures of Aeromonas spp. in the critically endangered Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum follow geographical and seasonal patterns

This research was supported by CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Project UIDB/00276/2020 (funded by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia IP) and by MARE (MARE-ISPA), MARE/UIDB/MAR/04292/2020 and strategic project MARE/UIDP/MAR/04292/2020 (also funded by FCT). M.L.G. thanks funding by the University of Lisbon (PhD fellowship C10571K). T.A.M. and C.S.M. thank partial support by CEAUL (funded by FCT, Portugal, through the project UIDB/00006/2020).Despite the fact that freshwater fish populations are experiencing severe declines worldwide, our knowledge on the interaction between endangered populations and pathogenic agents remains scarce. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and structure of Aeromonas communities isolated from the critically endangered Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum, a model species for threatened Iberian leuciscids, as well as health parameters in this species. Additionally, we evaluated the virulence profiles, antimicrobial resistance signatures and genomic relationships of the Aeromonas isolates. Lesion prevalence, extension and body condition were deeply affected by location and seasonality, with poorer performances in the dry season. Aeromonas composition shifted among seasons and was also different across river streams. The pathogenic potential of the isolates significantly increased during the dry season. Additionally, isolates displaying clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance phenotypes (carbapenem and fluroquinolone resistance) were detected. As it inhabits intermittent rivers, often reduced to disconnected pools during the summer, the dry season is a critical period for I. lusitanicum, with lower general health status and a higher potential of infection by Aeromonas spp. Habitat quality seems a determining factor on the sustainable development of this fish species. Also, these individuals act as reservoirs of important antimicrobial resistant bacteria with potential implications for public health.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Ser diplomado do ensino superior: escolhas, percursos e retornos

Textos selecionados a partir de comunicações apresentadas no 3.º Seminário “Ser Diplomado do Ensino Superior: Escolhas, Percursos e Retornos”, realizado pelo ObservatoriUM - Observatório dos Percursos Académicos dos Estudantes da Universidade do Minho (Campus de Gualtar, 9 de junho de 2017).Este trabalho é financiado pelo CIEd - Centro de Investigação em Educação, projetos UID/CED/1661/2013 e UID/CED/1661/2016, Instituto de Educação, Universidade do Minho, através de fundos nacionais da FCT/MCTES-PT.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Análise in vitro da distribuição de tensões em implantes angulados de diferentes comprimentos

: Neste trabalho apresenta-se um estudo realizado para avaliar computacionalmente ouso de implantes curtos em reabilitação mandibular total com base no Método dos ElementosFinitos. Em particular, verifica-se como o comprimento desses implantes influencia adistribuição de tensões durante a aplicação de cargas mastigatórias em reabilitaçõesmandibulares de acordo com o conceito All-on-4®

A mixed-methods approach

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