Affirmative action and race in contemporary Brazil: a debate on the nation's symbolic redefinition

The article analyzed the impact of Affirmative Action with racial criterion in Brazilian media (magazines Veja, Istoe and Epoca and newspapers Folha de S. Paulo and O Estado de S. Paulo) through the framing analysis for the period between 1995 and 2006 concerning the consolidation of the theme within the state. The analysis emphasized the interpretative framings of 'Position', which corresponds to the publications which presented assessments of the racial quota system; of 'Arguments', which noted the argumentative structures that sustained the valuations; and of 'Prognosis', which explored the alternative or complementary proposals to the mentioned system. The main conclusion refers to the decrease of complaints about racial inequalities in Brazil since 2005, accompanied by a dramatic increase of reports and articles detrimental to the advancement of Affirmative Action with racial criterion in the country.12223524

Migratory timing, rate, routes and wintering areas of White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps chilensis), a key seed disperser for Patagonian forest regeneration.

Migratory animals often play key ecological roles within the communities they visit throughout their annual journeys. As a consequence of the links between biomes mediated by migrants, changes in one biome could affect remote areas in unpredictable ways. Migratory routes and timing of most Neotropical austral migrants, which breed at south temperate latitudes of South America and overwinter closer to or within tropical latitudes of South America, have yet to be described in detail. As a result, our understanding about how these birds provide links between South American biomes is almost non-existent. White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps chilensis) is a long-distance austral migrant that breeds in the Patagonian Forest biome and overwinters in tropical South America. Because this small flycatcher plays a key role in the regeneration of this ecosystem, our objective was to describe the annual cycle of White-crested elaenias to evaluate the degree of migratory connectivity between breeding and wintering areas and therefore to determine if there are specific biomes of northern South America linked by elaenias to Patagonian forests. Fifteen individuals were successfully tracked throughout a complete migration cycle using miniature light-level geolocators. All individuals resided and moved through the same general regions. During fall (March-April-May), elaenias were located in the Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest biomes, from Rio de Janeiro to the region near Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. During winter (June-July-Aug.), birds were located further inland, within the Cerrado biome. Birds used three different routes during fall migration. Our results indicate that some individuals use a direct route, flying between 500-600 km/day, crossing desert and grasslands, while others took a detour, flying 100-200 km/day through forested areas with refueling opportunities. All birds used the Yunga forest during spring migration, with ten out of 15 individuals showing a clear counterclockwise loop trajectories throughout their annual cycle. None of the elaenias passed through Amazonia, traveled to western South America or crossed the Equator. Eleanias exhibited a high migratory connectivity between breeding area in Patagonian Forests and winter areas, Atlantic Forest and Cerrado. Our results suggest that Patagonian Forests could be strongly impacted by changes in those biomes or in the Yungas

Racial inequalities in access to women's health care in southern Brazil Desigualdades raciais no acesso à saúde da mulher no Sul do Brasil

The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to investigate access by 20 to 60 year-old women - both black and white - to early detection (pap-smear) exams for breast and cervical cancer in two towns - São Leopoldo and Pelotas - in Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. Estimates of the association between race/color and access to pap-smear and breast exams were adjusted for income, education, economic class and age. Of the 2,030 women interviewed, 16.1% were black and 83.9%, white. Black women were significantly less likely to have had a pap-smear and/or breast exam than white women. Racial inequalities in access to cancer early detection exams persisted after controlling for age and other socioeconomic factors. Racial differentials in access to early detection (pap-smear) exams for breast and cervical cancers might result from racial and socioeconomic inequalities experienced by black women in access to reproductive health care services and programs.<br>O objetivo da pesquisa foi investigar o acesso de mulheres negras e brancas aos exames de detecção precoce de câncer de mama e colo de útero (citopatológico), em duas cidades no Sul do Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo transversal de base populacional realizado com mulheres de 20-60 anos, residentes em São Leopoldo e Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As análises foram ajustadas por renda, escolaridade, classe econômica e idade para verificar a associação entre raça/cor e acesso aos exames. Foram entrevistadas 2.030 mulheres, sendo que 16,1% eram negras e 83,9% brancas. A probabilidade das mulheres não realizarem os exames citopatológico e de mama foi significantemente maior nas negras. A desigualdade racial no acesso aos exames de detecção precoce de câncer persistiu após controle para idade e variáveis socioeconômicas. O diferencial na realização dos exames de detecção precoce pode ser um reflexo das desigualdades raciais e socioeconômicas vividas por mulheres negras no acesso aos serviços e ações de atenção à saúde reprodutiva