FINITE SIZE SCALING FOR FIRST ORDER TRANSITIONS: POTTS MODEL

The finite-size scaling algorithm based on bulk and surface renormalization of de Oliveira (1992) is tested on q-state Potts models in dimensions D = 2 and 3. Our Monte Carlo data clearly distinguish between first- and second-order phase transitions. Continuous-q analytic calculations performed for small lattices show a clear tendency of the magnetic exponent Y = D - beta/nu to reach a plateau for increasing values of q, which is consistent with the first-order transition value Y = D. Monte Carlo data confirm this trend.Comment: 5 pages, plain tex, 5 EPS figures, in file POTTS.UU (uufiles

Tuberculosis determined by Mycobacterium bovis in captive waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in São Paulo, Brazil

Two waterbucks from São Paulo Zoo Foundation exhibited respiratory symptoms in July 2004. After euthanasia, granulommas in lungs and mediastinic lymph nodes were observed. Acid-fast bacilli isolated were identified as Mycobacterium bovis spoligotype SB0121 by PRA and spoligotyping. They were born and kept in the same enclosure with the same group, without any contact to other species housed in the zoo. This is the first detailed description of M. bovis infection in Kobus ellipsiprymnus.FAPES

Períodos de dessecação de urochloa ruziziensis e seu reflexo na produtividade da soja RR

Two field trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of burn-down timing of Urochloa ruziziensis on transgenic soybean establishment and yield under the no-tillage system. One experiment was conducted in Colina, SP - Brazil, in 2007/2008 season, and the other in Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil, 2009/2010 season. In 2007/2008, the experiment was carried out in a 7-year-old grass pasture of U. ruziziensis, with four burn-down timings of vegetation cover being tested 30, 20, 10, and 0 days in advance to soybean sowing. In 2009/2010, the experiment was conducted in an old grass pasture of U. ruziziensis cropped with maize the summer before. After maize harvesting, a natural re-infestation of U. ruziziensis occurred, corresponding to more than 80% of the vegetation cover. In this experiment, treatments corresponded to six burn-down timings of vegetation cover 25, 20, 16, 7, and 0 days in advance to soybean sowing. In all experiments, 1.44 kg a.e. ha-1 of herbicide glyphosate was applied, and the soybean cultivar M-SOY 7908 RR was used. The experiments were arranged in a randomized block design, with four replicates. The evaluations were carried out by measuring crop stand 20 days after sowing and pre-harvest, plant height, first pod insertion height, number of pods per plant, grain yield, and estimated yield. Data were submitted to ANOVA and the Tukey test at 5% of probability. Burn-down of U. ruziziensis performed at the same day of crop sowing reduced plant height, number of pods per plant, and crop grain yield. Burn-down timing of U. ruziziensis using glyphosate was recommended to be between 10 and 20 days in advance to crop sowing. In conclusion, soybean yield was affected by burn-down timing of U. ruziziensis