Exact Potts Model Partition Functions for Strips of the Honeycomb Lattice

We present exact calculations of the Potts model partition function $Z(G,q,v)$ for arbitrary $q$ and temperature-like variable $v$ on $n$-vertex strip graphs $G$ of the honeycomb lattice for a variety of transverse widths equal to $L_y$ vertices and for arbitrarily great length, with free longitudinal boundary conditions and free and periodic transverse boundary conditions. These partition functions have the form $Z(G,q,v)=\sum_{j=1}^{N_{Z,G,\lambda}} c_{Z,G,j}(\lambda_{Z,G,j})^m$, where $m$ denotes the number of repeated subgraphs in the longitudinal direction. We give general formulas for $N_{Z,G,j}$ for arbitrary $L_y$. We also present plots of zeros of the partition function in the $q$ plane for various values of $v$ and in the $v$ plane for various values of $q$. Explicit results for partition functions are given in the text for $L_y=2,3$ (free) and $L_y=4$ (cylindrical), and plots of partition function zeros are given for $L_y$ up to 5 (free) and $L_y=6$ (cylindrical). Plots of the internal energy and specific heat per site for infinite-length strips are also presented.Comment: 39 pages, 34 eps figures, 3 sty file

Examining the Relation between Purpose in Life and Self-Reported Health in Community and Inpatient Populations

The goal of the present study was to examine whether the relation commonly found between purpose in life and well-being occurs regardless of the population being assessed (community vs. inpatient) when the presence of somatic symptoms is used as a proxy for well-being. A total of 145 adults participated in the study (psychiatric patients, N = 28; healthy community adults, N = 117). Statistical analyses were first conducted to control for the effects of the observed differences in age and gender between samples. Results showed a significant relation between purpose in life and perceived health even after controlling for population. In both community and inpatient populations, purpose in life correlated with fewer somatic concerns. We discuss the benefits of incorporating a sense of directedness with prevention and treatment purposes

Effect of Melengestrol Acetate (Mga) on the Metabolic Profile in Heifers

AbstractFrom the analysis of 21 Cebu-Swiss heifers healthy, developing, with 235.55 ± 17.81kg of body weight (BW), 118.62 ± 3.97cm and 2.58 ± 0.35 of body condition (BC) scale of 1-5. They were divided into two groups: MGA (n = 10) and control (n = 11). For 55 days were given a constant diet (including 15 days of adaptation), based on concentrate and sorghum straw. The contribution of daily intake was 599.08g of crude protein and 12.18 Mcal. Blood samples were obtained every 5 days. The concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, urea, total protein and glucose were measured for spectrophotometric using the enzyme-colorimetric technique in plasma. The daily gain was balanced PV of 603.5 to 232.5 grams and height stopped from day 25. The CC did not show significant changes (P> 0.01). The mean concentration of plasma cholesterol was 107.59 ± 13.38 vs. 109.61 ± 11.72mg/dl (MGA and control, respectively) with a downward trend more pronounced from day 25. The concentration of triglycerides was 12.61 ± 6.91 vs. 16.19 ± 8.86mg/dl (MGA and control), no trend in the first 20 days and from day 25 there was an increase compared to the average of the previous days. The concentrations of HDL 63.73 ± 3.26 vs. 63.79 ± 10.27mg/dl (MGA and control) and 43.56 ± 6.24 vs. LDLc. 46.54 ± 14.89mg/dl (MGA and control) were irregular, but within normal ranges. The values of total protein were 5.70 ± 0.40 vs. 5.22 ± 0.31mg/dl (MGA and control), no trend the first 15 days and from day 20 increased in concentration compared to previous surveys. Urea levels were 14.79 ± 5.22 vs. 14.13 ± 4.8mg/dl (MGA and control) with a tendency to discharge. Glucose levels were 60.06 ± 7.62 vs. 58.24 ± 5.43mg/dl (MGA and control), with an irregular behavior in the normal range. The consumption of 0.5mg/dl of MGA for 40 days increased plasma concentrations of triglycerides and total protein, but did not affect cholesterol levels, HDL and LDL cholesterol, urea and glucose

New records of recently described chemosymbiotic bivalves for mud volcanoes within the European waters (Gulf of Cádiz)

Chemosymbiotic bivalves are important members of cold seep communities and information on their distribution in theEuropean waters is still quite scarce. This study reports the presence of living populations and shell remains of some recently described bivalves such as Lucinoma asapheus, Solemya elarraichensis and Acharax gadirae as well as Bathymodiolus sp. in the mud volcanoes of the Spanish Atlantic waters. Living populations of these species were thus far only found in Anastasya, Aveiro and Almazán mud volcanoes, together with other chemosymbiotic metazoa (Siboglinum spp.), suggesting the presence of moderate seepage activity. In other mud volcanoes (Albolote, Gazul), the benthic communities are dominated by sessile filter feeders on authigenic carbonates (chimneys, slabs) and only the shell remains of some chemosymbiotic bivalves were found, indicating earlier or very low seepage conditions. The present study elaborates on the known distribution of L. asapheus and S. elarraichensis to the European waters of the Gulf of Cádiz

Defining optimal strength of the nutrient solution for soilless cultivation of saffron in the mediterranean

Saffron is traditionally cultivated in soil as a semi-perennial crop, although the feasibility of crop production is today constrained in Europe due to both agronomic and socioeconomic factors. Accordingly, interest has been increasing concerning its possible cultivation within protected environments through adoption of soilless cultivation technologies. The aim of the present study was to optimize nutrient solution features in the soilless cultivation of saffron corms. The trial was conducted in a greenhouse at Almeria University. Saffron was grown in 15-L pots filled with perlite. Three fertigation treatments were used, obtained by a linear increase of all nutrients of one standard in order to reach an electrical conductivity (EC) of 2.0 (control, EC2.0), 2.5 (EC2.5) and 3.0 (EC3.0) dS m-1. Measurements included determinations of shoot length, corm yield, as well as nutrient uptake from the nutrient solution and concentrations within plant tissues. The nutrient solution with the highest EC (EC3.0) allowed obtaining three to five times more corms above 25-mm diameter. The increasing EC had a significant effect on the increase of macronutrient uptake, except for NO3 - and NH4 + and resulted in a general increase of nutrient concentrations in tissues, such as corms and roots. Both macronutrient uptake and accumulation in plant tissues were highest under EC3.0. Nutrient uptake was significantly correlated with production of larger corms due to higher horizontal diameter

Fluid intake of Latin American children and adolescents: results of four 2016 LIQ.IN 7 National Cross-Sectional Surveys

Purpose: The primary aim of this survey was to report total fluid intake (TFI) and different fluid types for children (4–9 years) and adolescents (10–17 years) in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. The second aim was to compare TFI with the adequate intake (AI) of water from fluids as recommended by the USA Institute of Medicine. Methods: Data were collected using a validated liquid intake 7-day record (Liq.In7). Participants’ characteristics, including age, sex and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Results: A total of 733 children and 933 adolescents were recruited. Over 75% of children in Uruguay met the IOM’s recommended intake. Fewer children in Argentina (64–72%) and Brazil (41–50%) obtained AI and the lowest values were recorded in Mexico (33–44%), where 16% of boys and 14% girls drank 50% or less of the AI. More adolescents in Argentina (42%) met the AIs than other countries; the lowest was in Mexico (28%). Children and adolescents in Mexico and Argentina drank more sugar sweetened beverages than water. Conclusions: Large numbers of children and adolescents did not meet AI recommendations for TFI, raising concerns about their hydration status and potential effects on mental and physical well-being. Given the negative effects on children’s health, the levels of SSB consumption are worrying

Root microbiome modulates plant growth promotion induced by low doses of glyphosate

Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide with a broad action spectrum. However, at sublethal doses, glyphosate can induce plant growth, a phenomenon known as hormesis. Most glyphosate hormesis studies have been performed under microbe-free or reduced-microbial-diversity conditions; only a few were performed in open systems or agricultural fields, which include a higher diversity of soil microorganisms. Here, we investigated how microbes affect the8 hormesis induced by low doses of glyphosate. To this end, we used Arabidopsis thaliana and a well-characterized synthetic bacterial community of 185 strains (SynCom) that mimics the root-associated microbiome of Arabidopsis. We found that a dose of 3.6 x 10-6 g acid equivalent/liter (low dose of glyphosate, or LDG) produced an ~14% increase in the shoot dry weight (i.e., hormesis) of uninoculated plants. Unexpectedly, in plants inoculated with the SynCom, LDG reduced shoot dry weight by 17%. We found that LDG enriched two Firmicutes and two Burkholderia strains in the roots. These specific strains are known to act as root growth inhibitors (RGI) in monoassociation assays. We tested the link between RGI and shoot dry weight reduction in LDG by assembling a new synthetic community lacking RGI strains. Dropping RGI strains out of the community restored growth induction by LDG. Finally, we showed that individual RGI strains from a few specific phyla were sufficient to switch the response to LDG from growth promotion to growth inhibition. Our results indicate that glyphosate hormesis was completely dependent on the root microbiome composition, specifically on the presence of root growth inhibitor strains

Universality of the Crossing Probability for the Potts Model for q=1,2,3,4

The universality of the crossing probability $\pi_{hs}$ of a system to percolate only in the horizontal direction, was investigated numerically by using a cluster Monte-Carlo algorithm for the $q$-state Potts model for $q=2,3,4$ and for percolation $q=1$. We check the percolation through Fortuin-Kasteleyn clusters near the critical point on the square lattice by using representation of the Potts model as the correlated site-bond percolation model. It was shown that probability of a system to percolate only in the horizontal direction $\pi_{hs}$ has universal form $\pi_{hs}=A(q) Q(z)$ for $q=1,2,3,4$ as a function of the scaling variable $z= [ b(q)L^{\frac{1}{\nu(q)}}(p-p_{c}(q,L)) ]^{\zeta(q)}$. Here, $p=1-\exp(-\beta)$ is the probability of a bond to be closed, $A(q)$ is the nonuniversal crossing amplitude, $b(q)$ is the nonuniversal metric factor, $\zeta(q)$ is the nonuniversal scaling index, $\nu(q)$ is the correlation length index. The universal function $Q(x) \simeq \exp(-z)$. Nonuniversal scaling factors were found numerically.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures, revtex4b, (minor errors in text fixed, journal-ref added