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- Media discourse on scientific knowledge: the atomic bomb in Portuguese media - uncertainty or the lack ofPublication . Fernandes, Inês FerreiraThe scientific knowledge is one based on uncertainty, not only on its basis for research, its consequential discoveries but also on its communication. The mere definition of uncertainty and its connection to something that is inherently unknown, or at least unknown without a doubt, translates into the broad sense that the concept partakes, more so in scientific terms. As so “there has been [a] debate in science communication research and practice about how and to what effect uncertainty may be communicated”(Hendriks & Jucks, 2020: 401). Should scientific knowledge be communicated when it has any level of uncertainty? When communicated, does it leads to clarity or uncertainty? Against the premise that uncertainty is part of the scientific knowledge and that the media are tools to share such information, this research aims to understand how uncertainty or the lack of it has prevailed in the coverage of Portuguese newspapers regarding the development and use of the atomic bomb in 1945 and its potential reach to the population. When the Second World War outbrooke Portugal was living under the authoritarian regime Estado Novo, lead by António de Oliveira Salazar. Throughout the conflict the regime used the country’s geographical position, old alliances, and ideological affiliation to guaranty its stance throughout its duration shifting from "geometric neutrality" to "collaborative neutrality” (Rosas, 1998). A position that made Portugal a perfect ground for the propaganda of both sides of the war (Telo, 1990). Simultaneously, the regimes Censorship Office operated along with the Secretariat for National Propaganda to conveying the idea of what was truth or not, and regulate what was newsworthy (Ribeiro, 2014), creating “an alternative reality” on an overall “patriotic press”(Ribeiro, 2017). At the same time, the social and economic context of Portugal in the 1930-1940’s was that of a country highly agricultural, with an industry that represented less than 20% of its production levels (Pimenta et al., 2001) and vastly dependent on foreigner markets. Furthermore, a country where the population presented a demographic growth of 1,32% yearly until the end of the war (Rosas, 1998) but with literacy levels remaining under 50% despite governmental efforts (Candeias & Simões, 1999). This background displays the reality of Portugal by the end of the war: a country that was indeed affected by the conflict, although not officially taking part of it, with a media ecosystem controlled by censorship and propaganda, and a population with scarce levels of literacy. Accordingly, the Portuguese public opinion or knowledge regarding the conflict and its development was considered as non-existent or controllable: “the phenomenon of public discussion of the conflict is reduced to small groups at dissonance with the majority of the population, without any political capacity, easily controlled and without any significant role in the equidistant measures that the head of government takes”(Barros, 1993: 9). In view of this context, one could wonder to what extend was it relevant to portray the development and impact of the atomic bomb in the media? At the same time, it can be speculated if the discourse was one that portrayed certainty or uncertainty or, even, if it was in line with the regimes propaganda of neutrality? Against this backdrop, this research takes as primary corpus of analysis the newspapers O Século and Diário de Notícias (national publications with the largest circulation), Diário da Manhã (newspaper of União Nacional, the regimes party), Diário de Lisboa and Primeiro de Janeiro (local newspapers of the larger cities in Portugal). By selecting the news regarding the scientific discoveries, the launch and the aftermath of the atomic bomb in the months of August and September 1945 and through journalistic and content analysis, the research takes a comparative approach to understand how the coverage both in the national and local newspapers was conducted, how the narrative of scientific and military certainty fluctuates with that of uncertainty and how it is connected to the regimes agenda. Preliminary findings have determined not only that the subject took relevance in the news coverage, but also that there is an attempt to create a national proximity to the event by reportage that conveys the importance of the Portuguese scientific discoveries to the final development of the atomic bomb. Although unclear about the true contribution of the Portuguese scientists, there is throughout the weeks a rise in uncertainty on the use of such weaponry. The preliminary analysis allowed us to identify a political assertation for the deployment of the atomic bomb, but an increase uncertainty of the legitimacy on its use, of its impact in the safety of the nations and the long term effect both on humans and the environment. As the weeks move on from the 6th and 9th of August, one can find an increase speculation of the use of the bomb and the scientific applications and impact of the discoveries. From the certainty that the “the bomb doesn’t have durable radioactive effects”(Diário de notícias,11th August) and a new era for humankind is arising with the atomic age, comes the uncertainty of the threat of an impending world catastrophe and of the political and safety consequences that can come from the atomic weaponize of the nations. Going back to the initial premise that uncertainty is inherent to scientific knowledge and correspondingly to the communication of the information it relates to, the reportage of the atomic bomb in the first months of its use shows not only a degree of scientific uncertainty that still prevails until today, but also an alignment with the governments agenda of neutrality and the allies political certainty and legitimacy for its use.
- Comparative analysis of polysaccharide and nutritional composition of biological and industrial-scale cultivated pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms for functional food and nutraceutical applicationsPublication . Araújo-Rodrigues, Helena; Amorim, Manuela; Freitas, Victor de; Relvas, João B.; Tavaria, Freni K.; Pintado, ManuelaThis study chemically characterized three Pleurotus ostreatus fruiting bodies cultivated in the Iberian Peninsula under different conditions (biological and industrial), with emphasis on polysaccharide analysis. Comprehensive comparative data on cultivation-dependent nutritional variations will potentially improve their nutritional and therapeutic applications. Industrial mushrooms (POC and POA) contained significantly higher carbohydrate content (74%), while the biologically cultivated mushroom (POL) exhibited more protein (22.6%), fat (4.2%), and ashes (8.0%). Monosaccharide analysis showed glucose dominance (28.7–45.5%), with mannose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose also present. Trehalose was the primary free sugar (4.8–14.9%). The (1→3)(1→6)-β-glucans varied significantly across samples (POL: 20.5%; POC: 29.3%; POA: 34.3%). Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis suggested complex polysaccharide arrangements. Water-soluble carbohydrates and proteins showed molecular weight distributions of 0.18–21 kDa and 0.20–75 kDa, respectively. All mushrooms were rich in essential amino acids, phosphorus (2.79–3.07%), potassium (0.56–0.68%), linoleic acid (0.82–1.14%), and oleic acid (0.22–0.31%). Fourier transform infrared confirmed a mushroom-specific biochemical profile. These findings corroborate the high nutritional value of POL, POC, and POA, with a significant contribution to the daily requirements of fiber, protein, and minerals (phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and selenium), making them suitable for functional foods and nutraceuticals with cultivation-dependent nutritional profiles.