ABSTRACT In fruit species, the amount of solar energy absorbed can influence fruit quality; hence, ensuring optimal light distribution management in the canopy of plants is essential. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (i) to analyze the variations in gas exchange through the day and (ii) identify the photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD) that promotes higher chlorophyll fluorescence and electron transport rate in jaboticaba seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized, with treatments consisting of 18 photosynthetic photon flux densities and three evaluations throughout the day. Six replicates were used, with two plants per plot. Gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence in P. peruviana were altered due to fluctuating photosynthetic photon flux density (0; 25; 50; 75; 100; 125; 150; 175; 200; 400; 600; 800; 1,000; 1,200; 1,400; 1,600; 1,800; and 2,000 μmol m-2 s-1) and environmental conditions throughout the day (8:00 a.m., 12:00 and 4:00 p.m.). The higher PPFD (1,384.6 μmol m-2 s-1) and air temperature (39.74 °C) at noon (12:00 p.m.) favored gas exchange in this species. An increase in PPFD of up to 1,000 μmol m-2 s-1 positively influenced the gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence of P. peruviana.

RESUMO Em espécies fruteiras, é essencial considerar o gerenciamento da distribuição da luz nas copas das plantas, pois a quantidade de energia solar absorvida pode influenciar na qualidade dos frutos. Diante disso, os objetivos deste estudo foram: (i) analisar as variações das trocas gasosas ao longo do dia; (ii) identificar a densidade de fluxo de fótons fotossinteticamente ativos (PPFD) que promove maior fluorescência da clorofila e maior taxa de transporte de elétrons em mudas de jaboticaba. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, sendo os tratamentos compostos por 18 densidades de fluxo de fótons fotossinteticamente ativos (0; 25; 50; 75; 100; 125; 150; 175; 200; 400; 600; 800; 1.000; 1.200; 1.400; 1.600; 1.800 e 2.000 μmol m-2 s-1) e três horários de avaliação ao longo do dia (08:00, 12:00 e 16:00 h). Foram utilizadas seis repetições, considerando duas plantas por parcela útil. Trocas gasosas e fluorescência da clorofila a de P. peruviana foram alterados em virtude da PPFD e das condições ambientais ao longo do dia. A alta PPFD (1.384,6 μmol m-2 s-1) e temperatura do ar (39,74 °C) no horário de 12 horas favoreceu as trocas gasosas dessa espécie. O aumento da PPFD até 1.000 µmol m-2 s-1 influenciou positivamente as trocas gasosas e fluorescência da clorofila a de P. peruviana.

RESUMO Uma metodologia alternativa ao método da ISO 22866, para medir deriva em campo foi desenvolvida no Departamento de Agricultura, Silvicultura, e Economia e Engenharia Ambiental da Universidade de Turin, Itália. Este novo método, denominado de “test bench”, pode ser aplicado para condições de vento diferentes daquelas possíveis na ISO 22866. O objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar o potencial de deriva de três pontas de pulverização em duas pressões de trabalho e duas alturas da barra de pulverização utilizando o método test bench em condições de clima subtropical. O trabalho foi realizado em Bandeirantes, PR, entre 2018 e 2019 em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 12 tratamentos, constituídos de três pontas de pulverização, as quais foram usadas nas pressões de trabalho mínima e máxima e duas alturas da barra de pulverização com quatro repetições. As pontas utilizadas foram XR11002 (100 e 400 kPa), AIXR11002 (100 e 600 kPa) e ATR 2.0 (400 e 2000 kPa), operando nas alturas da barra de pulverização de 0,50 e 1,00 m. O test bench possibilita avaliar a deriva nas condições climáticas subtropicais, evidenciando que as alterações nas condições meteorológicas, pontas e pressão são decisivas no potencial de deriva de pulverizadores de barra. A umidade relativa do ar e a pressão de trabalho foram os fatores mais determinantes no potencial de deriva das pontas de pulverização, enquanto a altura da barra de pulverização não influenciou no potencial de deriva.

ABSTRACT As an alternative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) method 22866, a method for the field measurement of spray drift was developed in the Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Environmental Economics and Engineering of the University of Turin, Italy. This new method, termed “test bench,” can be applied for wind conditions beyond those covered in ISO 22866. The aim of this study was to quantify the drift potential of three nozzles at two working pressures and two sprayer boom heights using the test bench method, under subtropical climate conditions. The experiment was conducted at Bandeirantes, Paraná State, Brazil, from 2018 to 2019 in a completely randomized design with 12 treatments, wherein three nozzles were used at the minimum and maximum working pressures, and two boom heights were tested, with four replicates for each combination. The following nozzles were used: XR11002 (100 and 400 kPa), AIXR11002 (100 and 600 kPa), and ATR 2.0 (400 and 2000 kPa), operating at boom heights of 0.50 and 1.00 m. The test bench method allows for drift assessment under subtropical climate conditions, and the results revealed that changes in meteorological conditions, nozzles, and pressure are key factors affecting the drift potential of boom sprayers. Relative air humidity and working pressure were the most important determining factors of the drift potential of the nozzles, whereas boom height had no effect on drift potential.

Resumo O óleo essencial de citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus) possui diversas atividades biológicas, entre elas a ação repelente a insetos. Alguns estudos mostraram que os ésteres do ácido cinâmico podem ser aplicados como pesticidas naturais, inseticidas e fungicidas. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a produção de ésteres a partir do óleo essencial de citronela com ácido cinâmico via esterificação enzimática. Além disso, foi investigada a toxicidade do óleo essencial antes e após a esterificação contra Artemia salina e a ação larvicida sobre Aedes aegypti. Os ésteres foram produzidos utilizando ácido cinâmico como agente acilante e óleo essencial de citronela (3: 1) em heptano e 15% em peso da enzima NS 88011 como biocatalisadores, a 70 ° C e 150 rpm. As taxas de conversão de cinamatos de citronelil e geranil foram 58,7 e 69,0% para NS 88011, respectivamente. Para a toxicidade sobre Artemia salina foram obtidos CL50 de 5,29 μg mL-1 para o óleo essencial e 4,36 μg mL-1 para os óleos esterificados com NS 88011. Na atividade inseticida contra larvas de Aedes aegypti, obteve-se CL50 de 111,84 μg mL-1 para o óleo essencial de citronela e 86,30 μg mL-1 para os óleos esterificados com a enzima NS 88011, indicando alta toxicidade dos ésteres. Os resultados demonstraram que as amostras avaliadas apresentam potencial de aplicação como bioinseticida.

Abstract The essential oil of citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) has several biological activities, among them the insect repellent action. Some studies showed that cinnamic acid esters can be applied as natural pesticides, insecticides and fungicides. In this context, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the production of esters from citronella essential oil with cinnamic acid via enzymatic esterification. Besides, the essential oil toxicity before and after esterification against Artemia salina and larvicidal action on Aedes aegypti was investigated. Esters were produced using cinnamic acid as the acylating agent and citronella essential oil (3:1) in heptane and 15 wt% NS 88011 enzyme as biocatalysts, at 70 °C and 150 rpm. Conversion rates of citronellyl and geranyl cinnamates were 58.7 and 69.0% for NS 88011, respectively. For the toxicity to Artemia salina LC50 results of 5.29 μg mL-1 were obtained for the essential oil and 4.36 μg mL-1 for the esterified oils obtained with NS 88011. In the insecticidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae, was obtained LC50 of 111.84 μg mL-1 for the essential oil of citronella and 86.30 μg mL-1 for the esterified oils obtained with the enzyme NS 88011, indicating high toxicity of the esters. The results demonstrated that the evaluated samples present potential of application as bioinsecticide.

Abstract Chemical and pharmacological potentials of botanical species found in the Cerrado are well-known and widely studied. Chemical diversity of secondary metabolites produced by plants that belong to this Brazilian biome has triggered several studies in the fields of farming, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) from fresh leaves of three species found in the Brazilian Cerrado: Cardiopetalum calophyllum Schltdl. (EO-CC), Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg (EO-CA) and Protium ovatum Engl. (EO-PO) and at determining their anti-Malassezia furfur and anti-inflammatory activities. Both GC-FID and GC-MS showed that the most abundant chemical class of the oils was the one of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The major constituents identified in EO-CC were germacrene D (34.9%) and bicyclogermacrene (26.8%). EO-CA exhibited mainly germacrene D (21.7%) while EO-PO had high concentrations of germacrene D (25.0%) and γ-muurolene (18.6%). EOs were tested by the broth microdilution method on 96-well microplates and exhibited satisfactory activity against M. furfur, i. e., EO-CA had MIC = 375 µg/mL while EO-CC and EO-PO had MIC = 750 µg/mL. The chemotaxis model, which was used for evaluating their anti-inflammatory activity, showed that EOs exhibited effective results: C. calophyllum (EO-CC; IC50 = 24.4 µg/mL), C. adamantium (EO-CA; IC50 = 15.7 µg/mL) and P. ovatum (EO-PO; IC50 = 32.5 µg/mL). In short, biological activities of EO-CC, EO-CA and EO-PO, such as anti-Malassezia furfur and anti-inflammatory ones, were investigated and described for the first time.

Abstract Water stress limits the initial growth and development of maize mass and grain, as well as the physiological process for absorbing the amount of mineral elements. The objective was to evaluate the effect of silicon on germination and growth of corn seedlings submitted to water deficit. The experiment was carried out in the laboratory and the experimental design was completely randomized (factorial 3 × 4), with three concentrations of calcium silicate (0.0; 1.0 and 2.0 mM) and 4 solutions of PEG-6000 to simulate different osmotic potentials (0, 0; -0.3; -0.6; -0.9 MPa). Germination percentage, germination speed index (GSI), mean germination time (MGT), percentage of non-germinated and abnormal germinated, length and dry matter of shoot, root and total seedlings were evaluated. Water deficiency reduced the parameters TG, GSI and MGT. The water deficit reduce the MSPA, MSR and MST with more than 80% reduction in mass from seedlings without deficiency to seedlings with deficiency. For CPA, CR and CT there was a reduction of at least 87%, 70% and 77%, respectively, among seeds without deficiency compared to seeds submitted to deficiency. The use of silicon in corn seeds did not attenuate the stress caused by water deficit simulated by PEG-6000.

Resumo O estresse hídrico limita o crescimento inicial e o desenvolvimento da massa e do grão de milho, assim como no processo fisiológico para a absorção da quantidade de elementos minerais. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do silício na germinação e no crescimento de plântulas de milho submetidas a deficiência hídrica. O experimento foi desenvolvido em laboratório e o delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado (DIC) (fatorial 3 × 4), sendo três concentrações de Silicato de cálcio (0,0; 1,0 e 2,0 mM) e 4 soluções de PEG-6000 a simular diferentes potenciais osmóticos (0,0; -0,3; -0,6; -0,9 MPa). Foram avaliados a porcentagem de germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG), o tempo médio de germinação (TMG), a porcentagem de não germinadas e de germinadas anormais, o comprimento e matéria seca da parte aérea, raiz e total das plântulas. A deficiência hídrica diminuiu os parâmetros TG, IVG e TMG. O déficit hídrico reduz a MSPA, MSR e MST com mais de 80% de redução da massa das plântulas sem deficiência para as plântulas com deficiência. Para CPA, CR e CT houve redução de, no mínimo, 87%, 70% e 77%, respectivamente entre as sementes sem deficiência em comparação as sementes submetidas a deficiência. A utilização de silício em sementes de milho não atenuou o estresse causado pela deficiência hídrica simulada por PEG-6000.

Abstract Onychomycosis is the most common disease affecting the nail unit and accounts for at least 50% of all nail diseases. In addition, Candida albicans is responsible for approximately 70% of onychomycoses caused by yeasts. This study investigated the antifungal effect of (R) and (S)-citronellal enantiomers, as well as its predictive mechanism of action on C. albicans from voriconazole-resistant onychomycoses. For this purpose, in vitro broth microdilution and molecular docking techniques were applied in a predictive and complementary manner to the mechanisms of action. The main results of this study indicate that C. albicans was resistant to voriconazole and sensitive to the enantiomers (R) and (S)-citronellal at a dose of 256 and 32 µg/mL respectively. In addition, there was an increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the enantiomers in the presence of sorbitol and ergosterol, indicating that these molecules possibly affect the integrity of the cell wall and cell membrane of C. albicans. Molecular docking with key biosynthesis proteins and maintenance of the fungal cell wall and plasma membrane demonstrated the possibility of (R) and (S)-citronellal interacting with two important enzymes: 1,3-β-glucan synthase and lanosterol 14α-demethylase. Therefore, the findings of this study indicate that the (R) and (S)-citronellal enantiomers are fungicidal on C. albicans from onychomycoses and probably these substances cause damage to the cell wall and cell membrane of these micro-organisms possibly by interacting with enzymes in the biosynthesis of these fungal structures.

Resumo A onicomicose é a doença mais comum que afeta a unidade ungueal e representa pelo menos 50% de todas as doenças ungueais. Além disso, a Candida albicans é responsável por aproximadamente 70% das onicomicoses causadas por leveduras. Nesse estudo, foi investigado o efeito antifúngico dos enantiômeros (R) e (S)-citronelal, bem como seu mecanismo de ação preditivo sobre C. albicans de onicomicoses resistentes ao voriconazol. Para este propósito, foram aplicadas técnicas in vitro de microdiluição em caldo e docking molecular de forma preditiva e complementar para os mecanismos de ação. Os principais resultados deste estudo indicam que C. albicans foi resistente ao voriconazol e sensível aos enantiômeros (R) e (S)-citronelal na dose de 256 e 32 µg/mL respectivamente. Além disso, houve aumento da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) dos enantiômeros na presença do sorbitol e do ergosterol, indicando que estas moléculas possivelmente afetem a integridade da parede e da membrana celular de C. albicans. O docking molecular com proteínas chave da biossíntese e manutenção da parede celular e da membrana plasmática fúngica, demonstraram a possibilidade do (R) e (S)-citronelal interagir com duas importantes enzimas: 1,3-β-glucan sintase e lanosterol 14α-demetilase. Portanto, os achados desse estudo indicam que os enantiômeros (R) e (S)-citronelal são fungicidas sobre C. albicans de onicomicoses e provavelmente essas substâncias causem danos a parede e a membrana celular desses microrganismos possivelmente por interagir com as enzimas da biossíntese destas estruturas fúngicas.

This work reports on the properties of GaN films grown by reactive magnetron sputtering onto glass substrate kept at relatively low temperature (400°C), using different RF power applied to the Ga target. Their structural, morphological, vibrational and optical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force and scanning electron microscopies, Raman spectroscopy and UV-vis spectrophotometry. The films have wurtzite phase with strong preferential orientation in the c-axis direction. Moreover, two clear contributions to the (0002) diffraction peak could be found, indicating the presence of two different morphologies, which were discussed in terms of the formation of an intermediate layer between the substrate and a dominating columnar-like microstructured film.

Abstract Cowpea is one of the main crops in family agriculture, especially in the Northeastern region of Brazil, and it is expanding to other regions in Brazil. The use of seeds with low physiological and health quality is reflected in the plant development and consequently yield, making it important to study the seed physiological and health quality. The objective of the present study was to assess the physiology and health of traditional and biofortified cowpea seeds. The traditional cowpea varieties (Angelim, Mercado and Manteguinha) and the biofortified cowpea cultivars (BRS Aracê, BRS Xique-Xique and BRS Tumucumaque) were assessed for the following physiological parameters: water content (WC), first count (FC), germination test (G), germination speed index (GSI), seedling emergence in the greenhouse (E), emergence speed index (ESI), seedling aerial part and root length (APL and RL) and electric conductivity test (EC). The seed health quality was assessed by the Blotter Test. The water content present in the seeds of the traditional and biofortified varieties ranged from 10% to 14%. All the traditional and biofortified varieties showed high germination and emergence value in the greenhouse. The germination and emergence speed indexes indicated the BRS Aracê and BRS Xique-Xique cultivars as the most vigorous. In the health tests the highest indexes were the storage fungi Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp. and Penicillium sp., with the highest prevalence in the BRS Tumucumaque variety, which was probably related to the higher water content present in this variety.

Resumo O feijão-caupi é uma das principais culturas da agricultura familiar, especialmente da região Nordeste, e encontra-se em expansão para as demais regiões do Brasil. O uso de sementes com baixa qualidade fisiológica e sanitária refletem no desenvolvimento das plantas e consequentemente na produtividade. Desse modo ressalta-se a importância do estudo da qualidade fisiológica e sanitária das sementes. Esse trabalho objetivou avaliar a fisiologia e sanidade de sementes tradicionais e biofortificadas de feijão-caupi. As variedades tradicionais (Angelim, Mercado e Manteguinha) e as biofortificadas (BRS Aracê, BRS Xique-Xique e BRS Tumucumaque) de feijão-caupi foram avaliadas quanto aos seguintes parâmetros fisiológicos: Teor de água (T.A), Primeira contagem (PC), Teste de germinação (G), Índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG), Emergência de plântulas em casa de vegetação (E), Índice de velocidade de emergência (IVE) Comprimento da parte aérea e raiz da mudas (CPA e CR) e Teste de Condutividade Elétrica (CE). Para avaliação da qualidade sanitária das sementes foi adotado o Blotter Test. O teor de água presente nas sementes das variedades tradicionais e biofortificadas, encontra-se entre 10% a 14%. Todas as variedades tradicionais e biofortificadas apresentaram alto valor de germinação e emergência em casa de vegetação. O índice de velocidade de germinação e emergência indicaram as cultivares BRS Aracê e BRS Xique-Xique as mais vigorosas. Nos testes de sanidade a maior incidência foram dos fungos de armazenamento Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp. e o Penicillium sp., com maior prevalência na variedade BRS Tumucumaque, provavelmente relacionado ao maior teor de água presente nessa variedade.

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the acute toxicity of the essential oils (EOs) of Aloysia triphylla, Lippia gracilis and Piper aduncum in juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), and evaluate the possible histopathological alterations in their gills. For the acute toxicity tests, juvenile tambaqui (n=24/treatment) were distributed in six treatments with three replicates, which comprised the control and five EO concentrations of A. triphylla (60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 mg L-1), L. gracilis (35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 mg L-1) and P. aduncum (42.5, 45, 47.5, 50 and 52.5 mg L-1), with an exposure period of 4 h. The mortality rate and severity of damage to the tambaqui gills were proportional to the increase in the concentration of the EO, with LC50-4 h values estimated at 109.57 mg L -1 for A. triphylla, 41.63 mg L -1 for L. gracilis and 48.17 mg L -1 for P. aduncum. The main morphological damages observed in the gills of the tambaqui exposed to the three EOs, were Grade I: hypertrophy and hyperplasia of lamellar epithelial cells, lamellar fusion, epithelial detachment, capillary dilation and constriction, proliferation of chloride cells and mucosal cells and edema; in low frequency Grade II damage as epithelial rupture and lamellar aneurysm. Necrosis (Grade III damage) was observed only in gill lamellae exposed to P. aduncum EO (47.5, 50.0 and 52.5 mg L-1). Concentrations of EOs below LC50-4 h can be used sparingly, for short periods of exposure for the treatment of diseases in tambaqui breeding.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a toxicidade aguda dos óleos essenciais (OEs) de Aloysia triphylla, Lippia gracilis e Piper aduncum em juvenis de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), e avaliar as possíveis alterações histopatológicas em suas brânquias. Para os testes de toxicidade aguda, juvenis de tambaqui (n=24/tratamento) foram distribuídos em 6 tratamentos, com três repetições, sendo o controle e cinco concentração do OE de A. triphylla (60, 80, 100, 120 e 140 mg L-1), L. gracilis (35, 40, 45, 50 e 55 mg L-1) e P. aduncum (42,5, 45, 47,5, 50 e 52,5 mg L-1), com exposição de 4 h. A taxa de mortalidade e a severidade dos danos nas brânquias de tambaqui foram proporcionais ao aumento da concentração do OE, com os valores de CL50-4 h estimados em 109,57 mg L-1 para A. triphylla, em 41,63 mg L-1 para L. gracilis e em 48,17 mg L-1 para P. aduncum. Os principais danos morfológicos observados nas brânquias de tambaqui, expostos aos três OEs, foram os de grau I: hipertrofia e hiperplasia das células do epitélio lamelar, fusão lamelar, descolamento epitelial, dilatação e constrição capilar, proliferação de células de cloreto e de células mucosas e edema; em baixa frequência os de grau II como ruptura epitelial e aneurisma lamelar. Necrose (dano de grau III) foi observado somente nas lamelas branquiais expostas ao OE de P. aduncum (47,5, 50,0 e 52,5 mg L-1). Concentrações do OEs abaixo dos valores de CL50-4 h podem ser utilizados com parcimônia, em curtos períodos de exposição para o tratamento de doenças na criação de tambaqui.

Abstract The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is a species of great economic importance for fish farming in the Brazilian Amazon, and acanthocephaliasis caused by Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae (Golvan 1956) represents an obstacle to its production due to it causing severe morphological damage to the intestinal mucosa, thus impairing the absorption of nutrients and causing weight loss in the fish. Therefore, the establishment of in vitro protocols for evaluation of anthelmintic drugs is the first step to development of effective measures for in vivo control of this endoparasite. The present study evaluated the in vitro survival of N. buttnerae maintained in Eagle’s minimum essential medium under different culture conditions. Three assays were carried out to evaluate whether temperature, supplementation with the antibiotics penicillin and streptomycin, and culture medium replacement or no replacement would influence the motility and morphology of the acanthocephalans. The results of the Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the use of culture in minimum essential medium together with penicillin and streptomycin prolonged the parasite’s survival when kept at temperatures of 24 °C or 28 °C. We describe herein for first time an alternative protocol that is ideal for the in vitro culture of N. buttnerae. As such, this protocol ensures greater reliability in further in vitro studies with N. buttnerae.

Resumo O tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) é uma espécie de grande importância econômica para a piscicultura na Amazônia brasileira, e a acantocefalose causada por Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae (Golvan 1956) representa um obstáculo à sua produção por causar severos danos morfológicos à mucosa intestinal, prejudicando a absorção de nutrientes e causando perda de peso nos peixes. Assim, o estabelecimento de protocolos in vitro para avaliação de fármacos anti-helmínticos é o primeiro passo para o desenvolvimento de medidas eficazes de controle in vivo destes endoparasitas. O presente estudo avaliou a sobrevivência in vitro de N. buttnerae mantido em meio essencial mínimo de Eagle sob diferentes condições de cultivo. Três ensaios foram realizados para avaliar se a temperatura, a suplementação com os antibióticos penicilina e estreptomicina e a substituição ou não do meio nutriente influenciariam a motilidade e a morfologia dos acantocéfalos. Os resultados da análise de Kaplan-Meier indicaram que o uso do meio essencial mínimo suplementado com penicilina e estreptomicina prolongou a sobrevivência do parasito quando mantido em temperaturas de 24 °C ou 28 °C. Este estudo descreve pela primeira vez um protocolo alternativo que é ideal para o cultivo in vitro de N. buttnerae. Este protocolo garante maior confiabilidade em ensaios in vitro com N. buttnerae.

Biochar from slow pyrolysis under controlled conditions is favorable in the transformation of waste into materials that serve as soil conditioners, and/or environmental remediation. Thus, this work aimed to produce and characterize biochar from cassava waste under different temperature conditions and evaluate interactions with Ca2+ and Pb2+ for agricultural and environmental applications. To investigate the efficiency of the interaction of biochar with nutrients (Ca) and contaminants (Pb), the influence of pH and contact time were evaluated. There was an increase in pH, pHzpc (zero point charge), and condensed aromatic structures in BC, due to the increase in pyrolysis temperature. Also, biochar demonstrated a Pb2+ adsorbed amount of 2.03 to 2.37 mg g-1 and a Ca2+ release capacity of 0.655 to 0.765 mg g-1. In this way, biochar produced from residues of cassava waste can be a viable strategy to enhance agricultural production and reduce environmental contaminants.

Objective: The process of detecting faces can be considered one of the initial steps in face recognition, which is essential for human interaction. We sought to investigate whether a face perception task reliably detects subtle perceptual disturbances between patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls. Methods: In this multisite study, we examined differences between BD patients and matched healthy controls. Participants were instructed to detect the orientation (either left or right) of a face when it was presented as a face/non-face pair on a computer screen using Bayesian entropy estimation. Data analyses compared performance between the groups. Results: Overall, BD patients exhibited more perceptual disturbances compared with controls. BD patients who took olanzapine had better performance and faster reaction times (RTs) than patients who took lithium or were medication-naive. BD patients who took lithium had better performance and faster RTs than medication-naive patients. The medication-naive BD group exhibited greater disturbances than all other groups. Conclusion: These findings highlight the reliability of the face perception task used herein and may be important for public health initiatives and follow-up studies that seek to understand the diverse effects of other variables that can affect sensory processing in this population.