From Neglected History to Tourist Attraction: reordering the past in Zakes Mda's The Heart of Redness

The Heart of Redness comprises two narrative strands: one which is set only four years after the first democratic elections in South Africa, and a historical narrative that recovers the 1856-57 “Cattle Killing Movement” and discloses the early encounters between the Xhosa and the British colonizers. Retrieving the past episode originated by Nongqawuse and aligning it with the contemporary discussion surrounding issues of economic and social development raised by the proposal of a tourism project for the village of Qolorha, Mda successfully articulates the complex elements that have marked past and present South African culture and society. In Mda’s novel, the village of Qolorha and the character of Nongqawuse are released from their negative association with one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of the Xhosa and transformed into a tourist attraction that has the potential to contribute to the sustainable development of the local population. The rescue of Qolorha from the threat of massified tourism and the recovery of Nongqawuse as a meaningful character for the history of the Xhosa, enacted by Mda in this novel, emphasize the importance of alternative development models, as well as the relevance of revising biased historical narratives that often served manipulative objectives

Presente, imaginação e memória em Zakes Mda e Mia Couto

Doutoramento em LiteraturaApesar de marcadas por contextos históricos e culturais distintos, é possível observar nas obras de dois dos autores mais significativos da África do Sul e de Moçambique, Zakes Mda e Mia Couto respectivamente, perspectivas semelhantes no que diz respeito à recuperação das memórias históricoculturais e à sua contribuição para a construção e compreensão das identidades pós-coloniais. Através da ficção, Zakes Mda e Mia Couto combinam a ligação da História a factos concretos com a necessidade de revelação associada à memória, criando assim espaços importantes para a discussão de algumas das mais complexas questões colocadas às identidades pós-coloniais. Para além dos contextos políticos, culturais e históricos que caracterizam e distinguem as literaturas sul-africana e moçambicana, tanto Zakes Mda como Mia Couto assumem nas suas obras a necessidade de analisar as identidades pós-coloniais contemporâneas dos dois países através da recuperação das suas memórias históricas.In spite of the specificities pertaining to South African and Mozambican history and culture, in the novels of two of the most significant literary representatives of those Southern African nations, Zakes Mda and Mia Couto respectively, it is possible to observe similar perspectives regarding the recovery of cultural memories and histories and their contribution toward the construction, development and understanding of postcolonial identities. Through fiction, Zakes Mda and Mia Couto combine history’s concern with concrete facts and memory’s attachment to disclosure, opening important spaces to debate some of the most complex questions posed to African postcolonial identities. Beyond the distinctive political, cultural and historical contexts that have shaped South African and Mozambican literatures, both Zakes Mda and Mia Couto assume in their novels the need to examine contemporary South African and Mozambican postcolonial identities by resorting to the reclamation of their historical memories

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications

Caracterização dos resíduos de Brassica oleracea L. para obtenção de um potencial ingrediente natural

A comunidade cientifica, em parceria com a indústria alimentar, tem vindo a estudar diferentes matrizes naturais, a fim de obter ingredientes funcionais com potencial aplicação neste setor industrial. Nesse sentido, este trabalho pretendeu fazer a caracterização de Brassica oleracea var. Acephala (popularmente conhecida como couve galega) quanto ao seu perfil fenólico e ação biológica, com o objetivo de identificar compostos fenólicos com potencial conservante e/ou bioativo para incorporação na indústria alimentar. O perfil fenólico individual foi obtido através de um sistema de HPLC-DAD/ESI-MSn e o potencial bioativo foi avaliado através de ensaios in vitro. A atividade citotóxica foi avaliada em linhas celulares tumorais humanas (AGS, CaCo2, MCF-7, NCI-H460) e a toxicidade em uma linha celular não tumoral (VERO), através do método colorimétrico da sulforodamina B. A atividade anti-inflamatória foi estudada em macrófagos de rato (RAW 264.7); a atividade antimicrobiana foi testada usando o método de microdiluição; e a atividade antioxidante foi avaliada através dos ensaios de TBARS (inibição da peroxidação lipidica) e CAA (atividade antioxidante celular). O perfil fenólico dos bioresíduos de couve galega revelou a presença de moléculas com elevado interesse em concentrações promissoras. Em relação ao potencial bioativo da amostra, foi possível observar uma interessante atividade antioxidante pela análise de TBARS, onde na concentração de 19 μg/mL foi possível oferecer 50% da atividade, porém pela análise de CAA os resultados foram moderados, com uma concentração de 2000 μg/mL com uma inibição de 40%. A atividade antimicrobiana revelou resultados muito satisfatórios, destacando-se as bactérias Bacillus cereus e Enterobacter cloacae e os fungos Aspergillus fumigatus e Penicillium fumiculosum como as estirpes mais suscetíveis ao efeito do extrato da couve. Em relação à atividade citotóxica e antiinflamatória, o extrato da couve não apresentou capacidade antiproliferativa na concentração máxima testada (400 μg/mL), revelando a ausência de potencial antitumoral e anti-inflamatório, mas também, provando a ausência de toxicidade do extrato. Considerando esses resultados, os bioresíduos da couve apresentam uma composição rica em compostos de elevado interesse, nomeadamente com potencial antioxidante, o que pode ser interessante para o desenvolvimento de ingredientes funcionais com possíveis aplicação na indústria. Para além disso, a reutilização de subprodutos permitirá não só diminuir o desperdício alimentar, como também criar soluções estratégicas no setor agroindustrial de crescimento económico e sustentabilidade.Os autores agradecem à Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) pelo apoio financeiro por meio dos fundos nacionais FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) ao CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 e UIDP/00690/2020) e SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2021), pela bolsa cedida a T.C.G. Oliveira (2021.06046.BD), e pelos contratos de M.I. Dias, R. Calhelha, C. Caleja, E. Pereira e L. Barros. Os autores também agradecem ao projeto “BIOMA – Bioeconomy integrated solutions for the mobilization of the Agro-food market” (POCI-01- 0247-FEDER-046112).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Unraveling the genetic background of individuals with a clinical familial hypercholesterolemia phenotype

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common genetic disorder of lipid metabolism caused by pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes. Variants in FH-phenocopy genes (LDLRAP1, APOE, LIPA, ABCG5, and ABCG8), polygenic hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] can also mimic a clinical FH phenotype. We aim to present a new diagnostic tool to unravel the genetic background of clinical FH phenotype. Biochemical and genetic study was performed in 1,005 individuals with clinical diagnosis of FH, referred to the Portuguese FH Study. A next-generation sequencing panel, covering eight genes and eight SNPs to determine LDL-C polygenic risk score and LPA genetic score, was validated, and used in this study. FH was genetically confirmed in 417 index cases: 408 heterozygotes and 9 homozygotes. Cascade screening increased the identification to 1,000 FH individuals, including 11 homozygotes. FH-negative individuals (phenotype positive and genotype negative) have Lp(a) >50 mg/dl (30%), high polygenic risk score (16%), other monogenic lipid metabolism disorders (1%), and heterozygous pathogenic variants in FH-phenocopy genes (2%). Heterozygous variants of uncertain significance were identified in primary genes (12%) and phenocopy genes (7%). Overall, 42% of our cohort was genetically confirmed with FH. In the remaining individuals, other causes for high LDL-C were identified in 68%. Hyper-Lp(a) or polygenic hypercholesterolemia may be the cause of the clinical FH phenotype in almost half of FH-negative individuals. A small part has pathogenic variants in ABCG5/ABCG8 in heterozygosity that can cause hypercholesterolemia and should be further investigated. This extended next-generation sequencing panel identifies individuals with FH and FH-phenocopies, allowing to personalize each person’s treatment according to the affected pathway

A exposição como múltiplo: lições de uma mostra norte-americana em São Paulo, 1947

No ano de 1947, a Biblioteca Municipal de São Paulo apresentou a exposição Fotografia Artística preparada pelo Museu de Arte Moderna de Nova York com consultoria técnica de Andreas Feininger. Tratava-se de uma mostra didática de reproduções fotográficas impressas em painéis, acompanhadas de textos, que reunia imagens de autoria de fotógrafos como Erich Salomon, Ansel Adams e Henri Cartier-Bresson, entre outros. Originalmente denominada Creative Photography foi produzida como múltiplo para que pudesse ser comercializada e exibida simultaneamente em diversas localidades. Este artigo visa analisar a mostra Fotografia Artística, buscando situá-la em meio às profundas transformações culturais do segundo pós-guerra, particularmente em relação às ações culturais norte-americanas realizadas no Brasil no período, às tratativas para a criação dos primeiros museus modernos no país e ao uso das técnicas de reprodutibilidade fotográfica no campo da arte

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved