Magnetic Properties of the Metamagnet Ising Model in a three-dimensional Lattice in a Random and Uniform Field

By employing the Monte Carlo technique we study the behavior of Metamagnet Ising Model in a random field. The phase diagram is obtained by using the algorithm of Glaubr in a cubic lattice of linear size $L$ with values ranging from 16 to 42 and with periodic boundary conditions.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

Yang-Lee Zeros of the Two- and Three-State Potts Model Defined on ϕ3\phi^3 Feynman Diagrams

We present both analytic and numerical results on the position of the partition function zeros on the complex magnetic field plane of the $q=2$ (Ising) and $q=3$ states Potts model defined on $\phi^3$ Feynman diagrams (thin random graphs). Our analytic results are based on the ideas of destructive interference of coexisting phases and low temperature expansions. For the case of the Ising model an argument based on a symmetry of the saddle point equations leads us to a nonperturbative proof that the Yang-Lee zeros are located on the unit circle, although no circle theorem is known in this case of random graphs. For the $q=3$ states Potts model our perturbative results indicate that the Yang-Lee zeros lie outside the unit circle. Both analytic results are confirmed by finite lattice numerical calculations.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figures. Third version: the title was slightly changed. To be published in Physical Review

Fluctuating Dimension in a Discrete Model for Quantum Gravity Based on the Spectral Principle

The spectral principle of Connes and Chamseddine is used as a starting point to define a discrete model for Euclidean quantum gravity. Instead of summing over ordinary geometries, we consider the sum over generalized geometries where topology, metric and dimension can fluctuate. The model describes the geometry of spaces with a countable number $n$ of points, and is related to the Gaussian unitary ensemble of Hermitian matrices. We show that this simple model has two phases. The expectation value $$, the average number of points in the universe, is finite in one phase and diverges in the other. We compute the critical point as well as the critical exponent of$$. Moreover, the space-time dimension $\delta$ is a dynamical observable in our model, and plays the role of an order parameter. The computation of $$ is discussed and an upper bound is found, $< 2$.Comment: 10 pages, no figures. Third version: This new version emphasizes the spectral principle rather than the spectral action. Title has been changed accordingly. We also reformulated the computation of the dimension, and added a new reference. To appear in Physical Review Letter

Vacuum Energy and Renormalization on the Edge

The vacuum dependence on boundary conditions in quantum field theories is analysed from a very general viewpoint. From this perspective the renormalization prescriptions not only imply the renormalization of the couplings of the theory in the bulk but also the appearance of a flow in the space of boundary conditions. For regular boundaries this flow has a large variety of fixed points and no cyclic orbit. The family of fixed points includes Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions. In one-dimensional field theories pseudoperiodic and quasiperiodic boundary conditions are also RG fixed points. Under these conditions massless bosonic free field theories are conformally invariant. Among all fixed points only Neumann boundary conditions are infrared stable fixed points. All other conformal invariant boundary conditions become unstable under some relevant perturbations. In finite volumes we analyse the dependence of the vacuum energy along the trajectories of the renormalization group flow providing an interesting framework for dark energy evolution. On the contrary, the renormalization group flow on the boundary does not affect the leading behaviour of the entanglement entropy of the vacuum in one-dimensional conformally invariant bosonic theories.Comment: 10 pages, 1 eps figur

On the physical interpretation of effective actions using Schwinger's formula

We show explicitly that Schwinger's formula for one-loop effective actions corresponds to the summation of energies associated with the zero-point oscillations of the fields. We begin with a formal proof, and after that we confirm it using a regularization prescription.Comment: 5 p., REVTEX, IF-UFRJ-9

Produção de mudas de alface com a utilização de substratos orgânicos.

O presente trabalho foi conduzido em estufa plástica, na 8nbrapa Semi-Árido, no período de 05 a 29 de junho de 2006 e teve por objetivo avaliar o crescimento de mudas de alface produzidas em substratos formulados com compostos orgânicos de capim elefante e bagaço de coco. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições, utilizando os compostos peneirados puros ou em mistura com areia grossa lavada na proporção 1: 1. Quando as mudas da a)face crespa (cv. Cristina) apresentavam três a quatro folhas definitivas, realizou-se a coleta, avaliando-se crescimento da parte aérea e do sistema radicular e o peso da biomassa fresca e seca. A utilização do composto de capim elefante influenciou significativamente na produção de biomassa da parte aérea com maior altura das plântulas e produção de matéria fresca, recomendando-se o emprego deste composto em propriedades agroecológicas

Phenotypic plasticity of composite beef cattle performance using reaction norms model with unknown covariate.

The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of genotype by environment interaction (G × E) and to characterize the phenotypic plasticity of birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), postweaning weight gain (PWG) and yearling scrotal circumference (SC) in composite beef cattle using the reaction norms model with unknown covariate. The animals were born between 1995 and 2008 on 33 farms located throughout all Brazilian biomes between latitude &#8722;7° and &#8722;31°, longitude &#8722;40° and &#8722;63°. The contemporary group was chosen as the environmental descriptor, that is, the environmental covariate of the reaction norms. In general, higher estimates of direct heritability were observed in extreme favorable environments. The mean of direct heritability across the environmental gradient ranged from 0.05 to 0.51, 0.09 to 0.43, 0.01 to 0.43 and from 0.12 to 0.26 for BW, WW, PWG and SC, respectively. The variation in direct heritability observed indicates a different response to selection according to the environment in which the animals of the population are evaluated. The correlation between the level and slope of the reaction norm for BW and PWG was high, indicating that animals with higher average breeding values responded better to improvement in environmental conditions, a fact characterizing a scale of G × E. Low correlation between the intercept and slope was obtained for WW and SC, implying re-ranking of animals in different environments. Genetic variation exists in the sensitivity of animals to the environment, a fact that permits the selection of more plastic or robust genotypes in the population studied. Thus, the G × E is an important factor that should be considered in the genetic evaluation of the present population of composite beef cattle.Firstview article 27 set. 2012