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M Picco

Publications and source records attributed to M Picco.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Universality class of the Nishimori point in the 2D +/- J random-bond Ising model.

We study the universality class of the Nishimori point in the 2D +/- J random-bond Ising model by means of the numerical transfer-matrix method. Using the domain-wall free energy, we locate the position of the fixed point along the Nishimori line at the critical concentration value p(c) = 0.1094 +/- 0.0002 and estimate nu = 1.33 +/- 0.03. Then, we obtain the exponents for the moments of the spin-spin correlation functions as well as the value for the central charge c = 0.464 +/- 0.004. The main qualitative result is the fact that percolation is now excluded as a candidate for describing the universality class of this fixed point.

Journal Article↗

Large-q asymptotics of the random-bond potts model

We numerically examine the large-q asymptotics of the q-state random bond Potts model. Special attention is paid to the parametrization of the critical line, which is determined by combining the loop representation of the transfer matrix with Zamolodchikov's c-theorem. Asymptotically the central charge seems to behave like c(q)=1 / 2 log(2)(q)+O(1). Very accurate values of the bulk magnetic exponent x(1) are then extracted by performing Monte Carlo simulations directly at the critical point. As q-->infinity, these seem to tend to a nontrivial limit, x(1)-->0.192+/-0.002.

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Aflatoxin B1 and fumosin B1 in mixed cultures of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium proliferatum on maize.

Production of aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 in pure and mixed cultures of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium proliferatum were determined on irradiated maize seeds inoculated with different spore concentrations at 0.97 water activity (a(w)) and a temperature of 25 degrees C. The highest levels of aflatoxin B1 were produced by A. flavus at the lowest levels of inoculum (10(3) spore ml(-1)). There was no spore concentration influence on fumonisin B1 production after 10, 20 and 35 days of incubation. When A. flavus was co-inoculated with F. proliferatum, aflatoxin B1 production was inhibited. The higher the inocula levels of Fusarium produced, the higher the inhibition and this inhibition increased during the incubation period. Total inhibition was reached at 35 days of incubation. There was no interaction influence on fumonisin B1 production at all inoculum levels assayed. These results suggest that under optimal environmental conditions of substrate, water activity and temperature, the interaction between A. flavus and F proliferatum could produce inhibition of aflatoxin B1 and stimulation of fumonisin B1.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Continuous phase transition in a spin-glass model without time-reversal symmetry.

We investigate the phase transition in a strongly disordered short-range three-spin interaction model characterized by the absence of time-reversal symmetry in the Hamiltonian. In the mean-field limit the model is well described by the Adam-Gibbs-DiMarzio scenario for the glass transition; however, in the short-range case this picture turns out to be modified. The model presents a finite temperature continuous phase transition characterized by a divergent spin-glass susceptibility and a negative specific-heat exponent. We expect the nature of the transition in this three-spin model to be the same as the transition in the Edwards-Anderson model in a magnetic field, with the advantage that the strong crossover effects present in the latter case are absent.

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