We give a more precise characterisation of the end of the electroweak phase transition in the framework of the effective 3d SU (2)-Higgs lattice model than has been given before. The model has now been simulated at gauge couplings β G = 12 and 16 for Higgs masses M * H = 70, 74, 76 and 80 GeV up to lattices 96 3 and the data have been used for reweighting. The breakdown of finite volume scaling of the Lee-Yang zeroes indicates the change from a first order transition to a crossover at λ 3 /g 2 3 = 0.102(2) in rough agreement with results of Ref.[1] at β G = 9 and smaller lattices. The infinite volume extrapolation of the discontinuity ∆ φ + φ /g 2 3 turns out to be zero at λ 3 /g 2 3 = 0.107(2) being an upper limit. We comment on the limitations of the second method.11.15. Ha, 11.10.Wx, 14.80.Bn

We study the electroweak phase transition by lattice simulations of an effective 3-dimensional theory, for a Higgs mass of about 70 GeV. Exploiting, among others, a variant of the equal weight criterion of phase equilibrium, we obtain transition temperature, latent heat and surface tension, and compare with MH ≈ 35 GeV. In the broken phase masses and Higgs condensates are compared to perturbation theory. For the symmetric phase, bound state masses and the static force are determined. *

The prevalence of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica in pig herds was monitored during six trials (at four different farrow-to-finisher farms). Samples were taken throughout the whole rearing period from birth of the piglets to the final fattening stage, and different samples were taken from these pigs during the slaughter process. Environmental samples also were evaluated to identify potential sources of on-farm infection. Y. enterocolitica was isolated using irgasan-ticarcillin-potassium chlorate broth enrichment and cefsulodin-irgasan-novobiocin agar culture. Colonies were identified using bio- and serotyping methods and by PCR assay. Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica were not isolated from fecal samples from piglets and weaners. The only fecal samples positive for Y. enterocolitica were obtained during the fattening stage. The prevalence of Y. enterocolitica in fattening pig herds ranged between 0 and 65.4%. Y. enterocolitica isolates were detected at the abattoir in 38.4% of the tonsils, in 3.8% of the ileocecal lymph nodes, on 0.3% of the carcass surfaces before chilling, and on 0% of the carcass surfaces after chilling. Almost all isolates belonged to bioserotype 4/O:3. Only one strain was identified as O:9. All isolates contained the ail gene. The yopT gene was found in 99.1% of the farm isolates but in only 76.6% of the isolates found at the abattoir from the corresponding carcasses. Although a direct link between porcine isolates and human infection has not been demonstrated, the similarity of the bioserotypes in infected pigs and humans and the presence of virulence factors in porcine isolates should encourage further studies to determine the risk of transmission of Y. enterocolitica to humans from pigs and pork products.

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The primary aim of this study was to detect and genotype Campylobacter coli strains from humans over a period of one year from November 2002 to October 2003. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from patients with symptoms of enteric infection. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to identify the genetic diversity of C. coli strains by cluster analysis. A total of 18.6% of all Campylobacter isolates were identified as C. coli. These data show, that C. coli is indeed of importance to human campylobacter infections. Heterogeneous patterns were detectable among the human C. coli pool by AFLP analysis suggesting different sources of infection. A continuous seasonal shift of genotypes was detectable.