Federal University of Roraima

Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) have been an important diagnostic tool for detecting P. falciparum malaria in resource-limited settings. Most tests are designed to detect the Histidine-rich Protein 2 (HRP2). Parasites lacking pfhrp2 and its homologous pfhrp3 have been reported in several regions, with prevalence reaching 100% in certain areas. To better characterize P. falciparum isolates circulating in the Brazil-Venezuela-Guyana tri-border region, we performed a comprehensive analysis of 365 samples collected between 2016 and 2018. Molecular and immunological methods were employed to detect HRP2 and confirm pfhrp2/3 deletions. Our findings point to a low prevalence (1%) of pfhrp2-deleted parasites confirmed by the lack of HRP2 detection. Among false-negative HRP2-RDT tests (6%), most were attributed to low parasite densities. A merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2)-based intra-host diversity analysis suggested overall low genetic diversity. The pattern of HRP2 sequences resembled that has been previously described in areas along the Brazil and French Guiana border. In conclusion, we have found a low prevalence of pfhrp2-deleted parasites in the north-central Guiana Shield, which contrasts with the findings reported at the Peru border. Continued surveys are necessary to monitor the prevalence of pfhrp2 deletion in this area characterized by a high number of cross-border malaria cases.

Essential oils used as bioherbicides are a promising alternative in agriculture. This study aimed to assess the phytotoxic potential of Piper marginatum essential oil through an in vitro study with detached and post-emergence leaves of three commercial species (lettuce, pepper, and tomato) and a weed (Spermacoce verticillata). The experiments were conducted in a randomized design with six treatments that consisted of four concentrations of essential oil (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1% [v/v]) and two control treatments (distilled water, and 1% polysorbate 80 in distilled water). The P. marginatum essential oil had a phytotoxic effect on the leaves of the experimental species. The highest essential oil concentration resulted in greater toxicity effects on tomato, lettuce, and pepper leaves. The 0.1% essential oil concentration completely destroyed the S. verticillata leaves. Seven days after application, the P. marginatum essential oil did not show adverse effects on plant growth in the post-emergence phase. It is recommended to investigate its possible phytotoxic activity in other phases of plant development to understand its mode of action and potential as an alternative to developing bioproducts for weed control. Key words: Spermacoce verticillata; bioherbicidal activity; Piperaceae; sustainability

The objective of this work was to assess the reproductive phenology and thermal requirements of two dragon fruit species grown under the climate conditions of northern Amazon. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil, during two production cycles (2020-2021 and 20212022). Two dragon fruit species were used: Hylocereus costaricensis, which produces cylindrical fruits with a red skin and purple pulp; and Hylocereus polyrhizus, which produces elongated fruits with red skin and pulp. Ten plants of each species were selected and divided into four quadrants; ten cladodes were selected per quadrant and two flower buds were selected per cladode, totaling 800 flowers for each species. The plants were monitored from the beginning of flower bud intumescence until fruit harvest. Phenological periods were evaluated from production pruning to fruit harvest, based on the phenological stage descriptions of the Biologische Bundesanstalt Bundessortenamt and Chemical Industry (BBCH) scale. Climate conditions affected the species over the years, mainly due to variations in air temperature preceding phenophases. Variations between years increased the production cycle in 20 days for H. costaricensis and 34 days for H. polyrhizus from the first (2020-2021) to the second (2021-2022) production year. Organoleptic properties of species showed excellent results, including soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), and SS to TA ratio. Complete physiological maturity of H. costaricensis and H. polyrhizus fruits occurred at 31 and 38 days after anthesis, respectively, when the fruits presented an intense red skin and pulp. Keywords: Amazon; BBCH Scale; Degree-days; Phenophases; Hylocereus polyrhizus L.; Selenicereus costaricensis L..

Maize is a demanding crop that is responsive to nitrogen fertilisation, and meeting its needs is essential to avoid a loss of productivity or environmental contamination. Monitoring nutrient status during crop development is fundamental for optimising nitrogen fertilisation, and using spectral sensors can help detect spatial variability in the field. Based on this premise, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three low-cost sensors in detecting variability in the spectral and agronomic characteristics of the maize cultivar, BM 3066 PRO2®, induced by different N doses (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha⁻¹) under two cropping systems, no-tillage and conventional. The study employed a camera with a sensor in the visible region of the spectrum (RGB), a camera in the visible-infrared region (OCN), both mounted on a drone, and a portable chlorophyll meter. Spatial variability was assessed during the crop cycle using the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and chlorophyll index. The results showed that the NDVI(ON) vegetation index from the OCN sensor was more effective at differentiating the treatments than was the NGR vegetation index from the RGB sensor. Furthermore, the chlorophyll b index was better at detecting variations induced by different nitrogen doses, outperforming the vegetation indices obtained by means of aerial images. The airborne sensors under test are more suitable for detecting early spatial macro-variability, while the chlorophyll meter is more effective at assessing the degree of nitrogen deficiency. Keywords: Chlorophyll meter; Drone; Conventional tillage; Direct planting; Vegetation indices.

Mangrove forests represent an important environment for the biogeochemistry process. They can act as a bioaccumulator of metals by removing from the sediment. Phytochelatins, on the other hand, play an important role in the plant's detoxification mechanism by absorbing metals that are not essential to its physiology. Sepetiba bay is historical higher metals impacted by zinc smelter industry residues. The aim of the study was evaluating the metals contamination and arsenic loke phytochelatin in mangrove and fern (leaves, flowers and branches and root) in the smelter industry residues site. The total element content in plants was determined by ICP-MS and the determination of phytochelatins was carried out by SEC-HPLC-ICP-MS. The highest concentration of As (34.81 mg kg − 1 ) was detected in the leaves of the fern. Zn reached 287.91 mg kg − 1 in the roots and Cd did not exceed 3 mg.kg − 1 in the plant compartments. High concentrations of As in mangrove were reported only in flowers (6.1 mg kg − 1 ). The metals concentrations indicate a dilution gradient from the Cia Mercantil Ingá waste to bay. The mangrove in channel Arapucaia, showed highest concentrations of Fe and Mn can be are related to the influence of drainage from the ore port and coal terminal. In fern species, biomolecule analyzes demonstrate the existence of two different chemical species of As in the plant structure, while for Mangrove, three chemical species were found in the leaves and other two in flowers and branches.

This study aimed to estimate the nutritional requirement of standardized ileal digestible (SID) tryptophan for Japanese quails during the initial laying phase and to assess its effects on egg quality, organ weights, leukocyte differential count, and heterophile: lymphocyte ratio. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 5 treatments (0.14%, 0.19%, 0.24%, 0.29%, 0.34%) and 5 replicates, resulting in 25 experimental units with 12 quails per unit, totaling 300 birds aged 42 to 126 days. Based on the results, a SID tryptophan level of 0.14% was optimal for the laying phase. Oviduct weight exhibited a quadratic effect, suggesting a requirement of 0.24% SID tryptophan. A decreasing linear effect was observed in heterophiles and basophils, while lymphocytes and monocytes showed an increasing linear effect. The heterophile: lymphocyte ratio demonstrated a quadratic effect, indicating a requirement of 0.31% SID tryptophan. However, for birds aged 63 to 126 days, 0.14% SID tryptophan was sufficient for optimal performance, with a SID tryptophan: lysine ratio of 13% and a SID tryptophan intake of 34.67 mg per bird per day. Thus, reducing tryptophan levels in the diet did not adversely affect bird performance.

Resumo Este trabalho objetivou estimar a exigência nutricional de triptofano digestível para codornas japonesas na fase inicial de postura, além de verificar seus efeitos sobre a qualidade dos ovos, o peso dos órgãos, a contagem diferencial leucocitária e a relação heterófilo:linfócito. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, apresentando cinco tratamentos (0,14; 0,19; 0,24; 0,29 e 0,34%) e cinco repetições, resultando em 25 unidades experimentais, com 12 codornas por unidade experimental, totalizando 300 aves no período de 42 a 126 dias de idade. Considerando os resultados, estimou-se o nível de 0,14% de triptofano digestível para a fase de postura. O peso de oviduto apresentou efeito quadrático, possibilitando estimar as exigências de 0,24% de triptofano digestível. Os heterófilos e basófilos apresentaram efeito linear decrescente, os linfócitos e monócitos efeito linear crescente e para a relação heterófilo:linfócito foi observado efeito quadrático, possibilitando estimar as exigências de 0,31% de triptofano digestív. No entanto, para esta fase (63 a 126 dias de idade), com base no desempenho, o nível de 0,14% de triptofano digestível foi o mais indicado, relação triptofano:lisina digestível de 13% e consumo de 34,67 mg / ave/ dia de triptofano digestível. Desta forma, a redução do nível de triptofano na dieta convencional não afetará o desempenho das aves.

This study proposes a theoretical and methodological approach for research based on the work of Bernard Lahire, with a focus on the structure and composition of sociological portraits. The study also incorporates the analytical dimension of the place of origin within this construct to deepen the understanding of why young people from popular backgrounds persist in management undergraduate courses. This framework will take into account various dimensions involved in their trajectories, such as family, work, education, leisure, sociability, and place of origin. The theoretical foundation of this study will be further explained below. By applying Bernard Lahire's dispositional theory and incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives from the fields of Sociology and Geography, this research intends to contribute to the development of new data and perspectives for analysis. The study highlights the importance of directly observing the place of origin of young people from popular backgrounds studying management, as it reinforces the presence of place in the constitution of youthful biographies and its influence on the persistence of young people in higher education. It reinforces the need for dialogues and new perspectives to identify and understand phenomena in management undergraduate courses and contributes to the set of research that seeks to understand the reality and dynamics of Brazilian social groups from more popular contexts in their interaction contexts.

The aim was to estimate the heritabilities for accumulated weight gain between 60 and 90 days (WG1), 90 and 120 days (WG2) and 120 and 150 days of age (WG3), pre‐slaughter body weight (PRE), meat‐to‐shell ratio (MS), carcass yield (CY) and age at first oviposition (AFO) in a population of snails Cornu aspersum maximum . Single (for heritabilities) and bi‐trait (for genetic correlations) analyses were performed using Bayesian inference. The animal model included the random effect of animal and systematic effects of contemporary groups and covariates. The heritability estimates for WG1, WG2 and WG3 were 0.59, 0.60 and 0.32, respectively. Heritabilities for PRE, MS, CY and AFO ranged from 0.22 to 0.51. Environmental factors mostly influenced PRE among the studied traits. However, for carcass traits and age at first oviposition, the 95% HPD intervals of estimates were large. Only the genetic correlations between weight gains reached chain convergence. The correlation between WG1 and WG2 was 0.74, between WG2 and WG3 was 0.57, and between WG1 and WG3 was 0.22 (not statistically significant). In this sense, WG1 appears to be the optimal period for evaluating the body performance of snails. Genetic improvement in WG2 may be obtained by direct selection for WG1 in this population of Cornu aspersum maximum .

This paper analyzed the scientific production on natural mortality (M) in fish, in order to understand the existing methods and identify the most commonly used ones. Research was carried out in the Web of Science database (WoS), using bibliometric and systematic analysis methods to evaluate scientific production using the following indicators: relevance of scientific journals, scientific recognition of papers, relevance of authors and co-occurrence of keywords. The bibliographic portfolio was composed of the hundred most cited papers of the WoS. The most relevant papers are reviews on the topic studied, which justifies the number of citations. The most cited researchers were the authors of the main estimators of M. The keywords of greatest occurrence were: natural mortality, growth and age. Of the total papers, only 19 estimated M for 28 species. Of these papers, 58% studied population dynamics and 42% made assessments of fish stocks. The most commonly used estimators were Hoenig (1983) and Pauly (1980b). Given the results obtained, it is important to develop more sophisticated methods, taking into account new approaches, such as temperature variation within this estimator, which was not observed in any of the methods.

Introduction: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) have been used for performance enhancement by athletes, exposing them to potential cardiovascular effects and structural changes. Some athletes also present cardiac structural or functional changes secondary to resistance training. Therefore, the true effect of AAS in echocardiographic parameters among athletes remains unclear. Research Question: What are the changes in echocardiographic parameters in athletes who use AAS compared with those who do not use AAS. Objective: We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing use with no use of AAS in athletes for echocardiography parameters. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were systematically searched for studies that assessed echocardiographic changes in athletes who used AAS compared to non-users. We computed mean differences (MD) for all continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) pooled under a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed with I ² statistics. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager (Cochrane Collaboration). Results: We included 13 studies with 742 male athletes (401 AAS vs 341 control; mean age 33.4 and 32.4 years respectively). AAS was associated with a decrease left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (MD -3.17%; 95% CI -5.51, -0.83%; p=0.008; Figure 1A) and global longitudinal strain (MD 3.58%; 95% CI 2.95, 4.20%; p<0.001; Figure 1B) when compared to no use. Athletes who used AAS also had an increased septal wall thickness (MD 0.98 mm; 95% CI 0.06, 1.9 mm; p=0.04; Figure 2A.), posterior wall thickness (MD 1.16 mm; 95% CI 0.57, 1.75 mm; p<0.01; Figure 2B) and LV mass (MD 42.9g; 95% CI 23.2, 62.5g; p<0.0001; Figure 2C) when compared to non-user athletes. LV end-diastolic diameter (MD 1.26mm; 95% CI 0.00, 2.51mm; p=0.05; Figure 2D) showed a tendency to increase in AAS users, but with no significant difference. Conclusion: AAS use among athletes is associated with reduced LV function and increased LV hypertrophy and overload, compared with athletes who do not use AAS.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity between genotypes based on the physical, chemical and physicochemical characteristics of araçá-boi in tropical conditions. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Roraima, in the municipality of Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil. Genotypes were obtained in the F1 generation, through open pollination. Twelve plants were evaluated, with 10 fruits being collected per plant. The physical and physicalchemical characteristics of the fruits were evaluated: fresh mass, length and diameter of the fruits, pulp yield, firmness, mass of the pulp, peel and seeds, number of seeds, soluble solids, tritratable acidity, pH, ratio SS/AT and vitamin C from fruits. The araçá-boi genotypes showed medium to high genetic variability, obtaining averages for the physical and physicalchemical characteristics higher than those observed in the literature. G genotypes A9, A10 and A6 adopted fruits with larger sizes and produced a greater number of fruits genotypes A1 obtained fruits with higher organoleptic quality. Genotypes A3 produced fruits with higher levels of Vitamin C and fruits with greater firmness. Genotypes A3, A6, A9 and A10 were promising with high agronomic potential and could be selected for the genetic improvement program of the species.

This study focuses on how accountants' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control towards accountability can shape a company's sustainability performance via the use of accounting information. While much is known about the role of accounting in sustainability, there is a shortage of insights into how aspects of accountants' behavior influence sustainability outcomes. The applicability of the Theory of Planned Behavior in this context, especially in Brazil, remains largely uncharted. This research seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by exploring the interplay between accountants' behavioral traits, the use of accounting data, and organizational sustainability. The findings reveal a positive correlation between accountability and organizational commitment, highlighting the indispensability of accountability for sustainable organizational outcomes. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, a derivative of the Theory of Reasoned Action, this study uses a quantitative point of view. Data were collected through a structured survey distributed among Brazilian accountants. Using a non-probabilistic convenience sampling technique, 383 accountants participated. Data were collected using a snowball method, initiated by 32 primary contacts. This research contributes to the accounting literature in three main ways. First, it highlights the role of accounting in promoting sustainable organizational development, positioning the Theory of Planned Behavior as a valuable tool in the sustainability discourse. Second, it sheds light on the importance of accounting within the culture of accountability, giving greater weight to its usefulness in guiding organizations to attain business objectives. Lastly, it emphasizes the full role of sustainability in organizational growth, highlighting accounting as a strategic tool in formulating and implementing business strategy.