Ising model with spins S=1/2 and 1 on directed and undirected Erd\"os-R\'enyi random graphs

Using Monte Carlo simulations we study the Ising model with spin S=1/2 and 1 on {\it directed} and {\it undirected} Erd\"os-R\'enyi (ER) random graphs, with $z$ neighbors for each spin. In the case with spin S=1/2, the {\it undirected} and {\it directed} ER graphs present a spontaneous magnetization in the universality class of mean field theory, where in both {\it directed} and {\it undirected} ER graphs the model presents a spontaneous magnetization at $p = z/N$ ($z=2, 3, ...,N$), but no spontaneous magnetization at $p = 1/N$ which is the percolation threshold. For both {\it directed} and {\it undirected} ER graphs with spin S=1 we find a first-order phase transition for z=4 and 9 neighbors.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure

Test of Universality in Anisotropic 3D Ising Model

Chen and Dohm predicted theoretically in 2004 that the widely believed universality principle is violated in the Ising model on the simple cubic lattice with more than only six nearest neighbours. Schulte and Drope by Monte Carlo simulations found such violation, but not in the predicted direction. Selke and Shchur tested the square lattice. Here we check only this universality for the susceptibility ratio near the critical point. For this purpose we study first the standard Ising model on a simple cubic lattice with six nearest neighbours, then with six nearest and twelve next-nearest neighbours, and compare the results with the Chen-Dohm lattice of six nearest neighbours and only half of the twelve next-nearest neighbours. We do not confirm the violation of universality found by Schulte and Drope in the susceptibility ratio.Comment: 6 pages including 4 figures, Physica A, in pres

Wild Trypanosoma cruzi I genetic diversity in Brazil suggests admixture and disturbance in parasite populations from the Atlantic Forest region

Background Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) infection is an ancient and widespread zoonosis distributed throughout the Americas. Ecologically, Brazil comprises several distinct biomes: Amazonia, Cerrado, Caatinga, Pantanal and the Atlantic Forest. Sylvatic T. cruzi transmission is known to occur throughout these biomes, with multiple hosts and vectors involved. Parasite species-level genetic diversity can be a useful marker for ecosystem health. Our aims were to: investigate sylvatic T. cruzi genetic diversity across different biomes, detect instances of genetic exchange, and explore the possible impact of ecological disturbance on parasite diversity at an intra-species level. Methods We characterised 107 isolates of T. cruzi I (TcI; discrete typing unit, DTU I) from different major Brazilian biomes with twenty-seven nuclear microsatellite loci. A representative subset of biologically cloned isolates was further characterised using ten mitochondrial gene loci. We compared these data generated from Brazilian TcI isolates from around America. Results Genetic diversity was remarkably high, including one divergent cluster that branched outside the known genetic diversity of TcI in the Americas. We detected evidence for mitochondrial introgression and genetic exchange between the eastern Amazon and Caatinga. Finally, we found strong signatures of admixture among isolates from the Atlantic Forest region by comparison to parasites from other study sites. Conclusions Atlantic Forest sylvatic TcI populations are highly fragmented and admixed by comparison to others around Brazil. We speculate on: the possible causes of Atlantic Forest admixture; the role of T. cruzi as a sentinel for ecosystem health, and the impact disrupted sylvatic transmission cycles might have on accurate source attribution in oral outbreaks

Assessing the Effect of Plant Biostimulants and Nutrient-Rich Foliar Sprays on Walnut Nucleolar Activity and Protein Content (Juglans regia L.)

The cultivation of walnuts (Juglans regia L.) has become increasingly popular worldwide due to the nutritional value of the nuts. Plant biostimulants (PBs) and nutrient-rich products have been increasingly used in agriculture to improve yield, quality, and abiotic stress tolerance. However, farmers need fast laboratory studies to determine the most suitable treatment per crop or ecosystem to take full advantage of these products. Evaluating nucleolar activity and protein content can provide clues about the most appropriate treatment. This study aimed to determine how five commercial products, four PBs based on seaweed extract and/or free amino acids and one boron-enriched fertiliser used as foliar sprays, affect walnut cv's nucleolar activity and protein content. "Franquette" from an orchard located in NE Portugal was compared to untreated (control) plants. All treatments brought a low leaf mitotic index. The control showed the smallest nucleolar area, highest protein content, and highest frequency of nucleolar irregularities. Fitoalgas Green (R), Sprint Plus (R), and Tradebor (R) showed the highest nucleolar area and lowest frequencies of nucleolar irregularities. The recruitment of proteins/enzymes for response against abiotic stresses may explain the high protein content in the control. Hence, the enhanced abiotic stress tolerance of the treated trees explains their lower protein content and frequency of nucleolar anomalies. Globally, the Fitoalgas Green (R), Sprint Plus (R), and Tradebor (R) seem better suited for "Franquette" walnut trees under the edaphoclimatic conditions where trials were conducted.This research was funded by national funds provided by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) to CITAB (UIDB/04033/2020) and CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). This research was integrated in the Operational Group EGIS: Estratégias para uma gestão integrada do solo e da água em espécies produtoras de frutos secos activities funded by Portugal 2020 and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The author Ana Carvalho thanks the funding attributed by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) with the reference DL 57/2016/CP1378/CT0003 (doi10.54499/DL57/ 2016/CP1378/CT0003), which allowed her to be hired by UTAD as a doctorate researcher through the D.L. no. 57/2016 and Law no. 57/2017.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ictiofauna Da Bacia Do Rio Mundaú, Estado Do Ceará, Nordeste Do Brasil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Mundaú river basin is located at Center-North Ceará State and occupies a total area of 2,227 km2, including Estuário do Rio Mundaú Environmental Protection Area. This study aimed to catalog the fishes of this basin. Collections were performed with active and passive gear in 35 sampling sites, between 2012 and 2014, in several habitats (main channels, streams, floodplains, permanent and temporary pools, ponds, and dams). A total of 2,545 specimens were collected, belonging to 55 species distributed in 10 orders, 31 families, and 50 genera; 30 of these are strictly freshwater species, and 25 estuarine-marine species. Three species (Hemigrammus guyanensis Gery, 1995, H. rodwayi Durbin, 1909 and Poecilia sarrafae Bragança & Costa, 2011) represent new records for the Mid-Northeastern Caatinga ecoregion. Besides, two cynolebiid species, Hypsolebias sp. and Anablepsoides cearensis (Costa & Vono, 2009), were found and the latter, currently classified as critically endangered, had its occurrence area widened. © 2017, Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP. All rights reserved.17123038.005584/2012-20, CAPES, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorFUNCAP, Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES