Coworking in Lisbon: Experiences of collaboration and sharing on changing urban contexts

As innovative and creative ecosystems, Coworking Spaces (CWS) show high adaptability and recovery capacity in facing global event disruptions. This article is an exploratory study that aims to approach the development of coworking spaces in the city of Lisbon. It investigates the location patterns and adaptation of such ecosystems in Lisbon, by mapping the phenomenon and examining its spatio-temporal dynamics that was influenced by the urbanisation phases of the city, as well as the development and planning policies designed over the years. Starting from a broader view of CWS location in the city, this article moves on to present two particular cases, implemented in a different time and socio-economic circumstances in different parts of the city: LxFactory and The Creative Hub. This study is part of a broader contribution to COST Action (CA)18214 "The geography of the new workspaces and the impact on the periphery".info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Streptococcus canis Are a Single Population Infecting Multiple Animal Hosts Despite the Diversity of the Universally Present M-Like Protein SCM

Streptococcus canis is an animal pathogen which occasionally causes infections in humans. The S. canis M-like protein (SCM) encoded by the scm gene, is its best characterized virulence factor but previous studies suggested it could be absent in a substantial fraction of isolates. We studied the distribution and variability of the scm gene in 188 S. canis isolates recovered from companion animals (n = 152), wild animal species (n = 20), and humans (n = 14). Multilocus sequence typing, including the first characterization of wildlife isolates, showed that the same lineages are present in all animal hosts, raising the possibility of extensive circulation between species. Whole-genome analysis revealed that emm-like genes found previously in S. canis correspond to divergent scm genes, indicating that what was previously believed to correspond to two genes is in fact the same scm locus. We designed primers allowing for the first time the successful amplification of the scm gene in all isolates. Analysis of the scm sequences identified 12 distinct types, which could be divided into two clusters: group I (76%, n = 142) and group II (24%, n = 46) sharing little sequence similarity. The predicted group I SCM showed extensive similarity with each other outside of the N-terminal hypervariable region and a conserved IgG binding domain. This domain was absent from group II SCM variants found in isolates previously thought to lack the scm gene, which also showed greater amino acid variability. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the possible host interacting partners of the group II SCM variants and their role in virulence

Triassic faunal successions of the Paraná Basin, southern Brazil

The Paraná Basin was filled by a sedimentary package deposited in successive sedimentation episodes related to the tectonic events that hit the SW portion of the Gondwana. The Triassic portion of this package, known worldwide for its continental tetrapod fauna, occurs only in the southern portion of the basin and is represented by 2 s-order sequences: the Sanga do Cabral Supersequence (SCS - Early Triassic) and the Santa Maria Supersequence (SMS - Middle-Late Triassic). The SCS fauna, including temnospondyls, parareptiles (mainly Procolophon), archosauromorphs, putative synapsids, and a number of indeterminate specimens, is traditionally considered Early Triassic and corresponds to the “Procolophon abundant zone” of the Karoo Basin (the upper levels of the Lystrosaurus AZ), in the upper Katberg Formation, which is Induan to early Olenekian in age. The sedimentary environment of the SCS is thought to be a wide alluvial plain, in which small and shallow channels spread northwards into a vast semiarid environment. By its turn, the Middle-Upper Triassic Santa Maria Supersequence is divided into four third-order sequences, from base to top: Pinheiros-Chiniquá, Santa Cruz, Candelária and Mata. Each of these sequences begins with fluvial deposition (low sinuosity rivers) that is overlain by transgressive shallow lacustrine deposits. The first three of these sequences present a very rich record of fossil tetrapods, including four successive faunal associations: Dinodontosaurus Assemblage Zone (Ladinian, within the Pinheiros-Chiniquá Sequence), Santacruzodon AZ (Ladinian/Carnian, in the Santa Cruz Sequence), Hyperodapedon AZ (Carnian) and the Riograndia AZ (early Norian), the latter two respectively at the base and top of the Candelária Sequence. In general, the lower portion of the package (Pinheiros-Chiniquá and Santa Cruz Sequences) was deposited under more basic and dried environmental conditions and are dominated by synapsids, while the top of the section (Candelária Sequence) is characterized by more acid and humid conditions and by a shift in the faunal content, with diapsids as dominating forms and presenting an increase of diversity compared to the lower biozones.Fil: Schultz, Cesar. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Martinelli, Agustín Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Soares, Marina. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Pinheiro, Felipe L.. Universidade Federal do Pampa; BrasilFil: Kerber, Leonardo. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Horn, Bruno L. D.. Serviço Geológico Do Brasil ; BrasilFil: Pretto, Flávio A.. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Müller, Rodrigo T.. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Melo, Tomaz P.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasi

The African cynodont Aleodon (Cynodontia, Probainognathia) in the Triassic of southern Brazil and its biostratigraphic significance.

In this contribution we report the first occurrence of the enigmatic African probainognathian genus Aleodon in the Middle-early Late Triassic of several localities from the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. Aleodon is unusual among early probainognathians in having transversely-expanded postcanine teeth, similar to those of gomphodont cynognathians. This genus was previously known from the Manda Beds of Tanzania and the upper Omingonde Formation of Namibia. The Brazilian record of this genus is based upon multiple specimens representing different ontogenetic stages, including three that were previously referred to the sectorial-toothed probainognathian Chiniquodon theotonicus. We propose a new species of Aleodon (A. cromptoni sp. nov.) based on the specimens from Brazil. Additionally, we tentatively refer one specimen from the upper Omingonde Formation of Namibia to this new taxon, strengthening biostratigraphic correlations between these strata. Inclusion of A. cromptoni in a phylogenetic analysis of eucynodonts recovers it as the sister-taxon of A. brachyrhamphus within the family Chiniquodontidae. The discovery of numerous specimens of Aleodon among the supposedly monospecific Chiniquodon samples of Brazil raises concerns about chiniquodontid alpha taxonomy, particularly given the extremely broad geographic distribution of Chiniquodon. The discovery of Brazilian Aleodon and new records of the traversodontid Luangwa supports the hypothesis that at least two subzones can be recognized in the Dinodontosaurus Assemblage Zone

Enhancement of sciatic nerve regeneration after vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene therapy

Aims: Recent studies have emphasized the beneficial effects of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on neurone survival and Schwann cell proliferation. VEGF is a potent angiogenic factor, and angiogenesis has long been recognized as an important and necessary step during tissue repair. Here, we investigated the effects of VEGF on sciatic nerve regeneration. Methods: Using light and electron microscopy, we evaluated sciatic nerve regeneration after transection and VEGF gene therapy. We examined the survival of the neurones in the dorsal root ganglia and in lumbar 4 segment of spinal cord. We also evaluated the functional recovery using the sciatic functional index and gastrocnemius muscle weight. in addition, we evaluated the VEGF expression by immunohistochemistry. Results: Fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran) fluorescence of nerves and muscles revealed intense staining in the VEGF-treated group. Quantitative analysis showed that the numbers of myelinated fibres and blood vessels were significantly higher in VEGF-treated animals. VEGF also increased the survival of neurone cell bodies in dorsal root ganglia and in spinal cord. the sciatic functional index and gastrocnemius muscle weight reached significantly higher values in VEGF-treated animals. Conclusion: We demonstrate a positive relationship between increased vascularization and enhanced nerve regeneration, indicating that VEGF administration can support and enhance the growth of regenerating nerve fibres, probably through a combination of angiogenic, neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)INNT-MCTCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)FUJBUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Ctr Ciencias Saude, BR-21941902 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Fac Med, Dept Patol, BR-21941902 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Interdisciplinar Terapia Genica, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Dept Fisiol & Biofis, São Paulo, BrazilIst Nazl Fis Nucl, Lab Nazl Legnaro, I-35020 Legnaro, ItalyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Interdisciplinar Terapia Genica, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Biostratigraphy of the <i>Dinodontosaurus</i> and <i>Santacruzodon</i> AZs.

<p>Tetrapod fossil comparisons and shared taxa with the Chañares Formation of western Argentina. The ages of the column follow Gradstein et al. [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0177948#pone.0177948.ref036" target="_blank">36</a>]. The radiometric dating of 236.1, 231.4 and 225.9 Ma on the Ischigualasto-Villa Unión Basin column correspond to the first half of the Chañares Formation [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0177948#pone.0177948.ref045" target="_blank">45</a>], the base of the Ischigualasto Formation, and the base of Los Colorados Formation [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0177948#pone.0177948.ref105" target="_blank">105</a>], respectively, and the one in the <i>Santacruzodon</i> AZ follows Philipp et al. [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0177948#pone.0177948.ref043" target="_blank">43</a>].</p

<i>Aleodon cromptoni</i> from southern Brazil.

<p>Specimen UFRGS-PV-0274-T in dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views, and detail of the snout in ventral view (C) with interpretative drawing of the right postcanine tooth row and detail of left PC6. Scale bar equals 50mm. Abbreviations: aPC, alveolus; PC, upper postcanine.</p

<i>Aleodon cromptoni</i> sp. nov. from southern Brazil.

<p>Specimen UFRGS-PV-0146-T, detail of left upper postcanine row (A) and left lower postcanine row, with accompanying line drawings. Scale bar equals 10mm. Abbreviations: C, upper canine; Ca, upper canine alveolus; enl, enamel layer; lpl, lingual platform; PC/pc, upper, lower postcanine.</p