The Hamiltonian limit of (3+1)D SU(3) lattice gauge theory on anisotropic lattices

The extreme anisotropic limit of Euclidean SU(3) lattice gauge theory is examined to extract the Hamiltonian limit, using standard path integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) methods. We examine the mean plaquette and string tension and compare them to results obtained within the Hamiltonian framework of Kogut and Susskind. The results are a significant improvement upon previous Hamiltonian estimates, despite the extrapolation procedure necessary to extract observables. We conclude that the PIMC method is a reliable method of obtaining results for the Hamiltonian version of the theory. Our results also clearly demonstrate the universality between the Hamiltonian and Euclidean formulations of lattice gauge theory. It is particularly important to take into account the renormalization of both the anisotropy, and the Euclidean coupling $\beta_E$, in obtaining these results.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure

The evaluation of a physical method for the quantification of inactivated poliovirus particles and its relationship to D-antigenicity and potency testing in rats.

The use of a density gradient procedure for the quantification of intact, inactivated poliovirus particles in vaccine preparations is described. The procedure is both sensitive and highly reproducible and the results correlate with those of potency tests in rats and with D-antigen content as measured by ELISA. Because of the occasional ambiguity observed with D-antigen assays, it is suggested that the density gradient procedure will provide valuable additional information for the in vitro assessment of inactivated poliovirus preparations

What motivates social workers to become practice teachers?

The introduction of the new social work award in September 2003 placed a greater emphasis on students learning from practice and as a consequence of this, the demand for assessed practice learning opportunities increased. This paper will outline research undertaken in response to the challenges that this has created by examining the central question of what factors motivate social worker practitioners to become practice assessors and how influential organisational factors are in individuals choosing to take on the role. The aim of the research was to identify extrinsic and intrinsic motivating factors that might then provide guidance to those involved in recruiting individuals to take on the crucial role of contributing to the education of the next generation of social workers. The findings, using data from 50 self administered questionnaires and 2 focus group interviews, collected from participants attending introductory practice assessor training indicates that intrinsic factors are principle sources of motivation rather than extrinsic, organisational factors

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor does not increase the potency or efficacy of a foot-and-mouth disease virus subunit vaccine Fator estimulante de colônias de granu-lócitos e macrófagos (GM-CSF) não aumenta a eficácia ou potência da vacina de subunidades da febre aftosa em suínos

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most feared diseases of livestock worldwide. Vaccination has been a very effective weapon in controlling the disease, however a number of concerns with the current vaccine including the inability of approved diagnostic tests to reliably distinguish vaccinated from infected animals and the need for high containment facilities for vaccine production, have limited its use during outbreaks in countries previously free of the disease. A number of FMD vaccine candidates have been tested and a replication-defective human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) vector containing the FMDV capsid (P1-2A) and 3C protease coding regions has been shown to completely protect pigs against challenge with the homologous virus (FMDV A12 and A24). An Ad5-P1-2A+3C vaccine for FMDV O1 Campos (Ad5-O1C), however, only induced a low FMDV-specific neutralizing antibody response in swine potency tests. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been successfully used to stimulate the immune response in vaccine formulations against a number of diseases, including HIV, hepatitis C and B. To attempt to improve the FMDV-specific immune response induced by Ad5-O1C, we inoculated swine with Ad5-O1C and an Ad5 vector containing the gene for porcine GM-CSF (pGM-CSF). However, in the conditions used in this trial, pGM-CSF did not improve the immune response to Ad5-O1C and adversely affected the level of protection of swine challenged with homologous FMDV.<br>A febre aftosa é uma das doenças mais temidas nos rebanhos em todo o mundo. A vacinação tem sido uma arma eficiente no controle da doença, no entanto há preocupações com as vacinas atualmente utilizadas incluindo a necessidade de instalações de alta segurança para a produção dessas vacinas e a falta de um teste de diagnóstico aprovado que faça distinção precisa entre animais vacinados dos infectados. Várias vacinas têm sido testadas contra a febre aftosa e uma dessas utiliza como vetor um vírus defectivo para replicação, derivado do adenovírus humano tipo 5 (Ad5), o qual contém as proteínas que compõe capsídeo do vírus da febre aftosa (P1-2A) e a protease 3C, protegeu completamente suínos contra o desafio de uma cepa homóloga (A12 e A24). Uma vacina com o Ad5-P1-2A+3C proveniente da cepa O1 Campos (Ad5-O1C), no entanto, somente induziu um baixo título de anticorpos neutralizantes específicos em testes de potência vacinal em suínos. O fator estimulante de colônias de granulócitos e macrófagos (GM-CSF) tem sido utilizado com sucesso na formulação de vacinas para estimular a resposta imune contra inúmeras doenças, incluindo HIV, Hepatite C e B. Na tentativa de melhorar a resposta imune específica contra a febre aftosa induzida pelo Ad5-O1C, suínos foram vacinados com Ad5-O1C juntamente com Ad5-GM-CSFporcino. Entretanto nas, condições utilizadas nesse teste, o GM-CSF suíno não melhorou a resposta imune do Ad5-O1C e adversamente afetou o nível de proteção de suínos desafiados com o vírus homólogo da febre aftosa