Abelian Monopole and Center Vortex Views at the Multi-Instanton Gas

We consider full non-Abelian, Abelian and center projected lattice field configurations built up from random instanton gas configurations in the continuum. We study the instanton contribution to the $\bar{Q}Q$ force with respect to ({\it i}) instanton density dependence, ({\it ii}) Casimir scaling and ({\it iii}) whether various versions of Abelian dominance hold. We check that the dilute gas formulation for the interaction potential gives an reliable approximation only for densities small compared to the phenomenological value. We find that Casimir scaling does not hold, confirming earlier statements in the literature. We show that the lattice used to discretize the instanton gas configurations has to be sufficiently coarse ($a \approx 2\bar{\rho}$ compared with the instanton size $\bar{\rho}$) such that maximal Abelian gauge projection and center projection as well as the monopole gas contribution to the $\bar{Q}Q$ force reproduce the non-Abelian instanton-mediated force in the intermediate range of linear quasi-confinement. We demonstrate that monopole clustering also depends critically on the discretization scale confirming earlier findings based on monopole blocking.Comment: 21 pages, 22 Postscript figure

Quark zero modes in intersecting center vortex gauge fields

The zero modes of the Dirac operator in the background of center vortex gauge field configurations in $\R^2$ and $\R^4$ are examined. If the net flux in D=2 is larger than 1 we obtain normalizable zero modes which are mainly localized at the vortices. In D=4 quasi-normalizable zero modes exist for intersecting flat vortex sheets with the Pontryagin index equal to 2. These zero modes are mainly localized at the vortex intersection points, which carry a topological charge of $\pm 1/2$. To circumvent the problem of normalizability the space-time manifold is chosen to be the (compact) torus \T^2 and \T^4, respectively. According to the index theorem there are normalizable zero modes on \T^2 if the net flux is non-zero. These zero modes are localized at the vortices. On \T^4 zero modes exist for a non-vanishing Pontryagin index. As in $\R^4$ these zero modes are localized at the vortex intersection points.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures, LaTeX2e, references added, treatment of ideal vortices on the torus shortene

Abelian Monopoles in SU(2) Lattice Gauge Theory as Physical Objects

By numerical calculations we show that the abelian monopole currents are locally correlated with the density of SU(2) lattice action. The correlations are larger by the order of magnitude in the maximal abelian projection than in the projections which correspond to the diagonalization of Polyakov line and to the diagonalization of the plaquette. These facts show that (at least) in the maximal abelian projection the monopoles are the physical objects, they carry the SU(2) action. The larger value of \beta, the larger the relative action carried by monopole. Calculations on the asymmetric lattice show that this correlation exists also in the deconfinement phase of gluodynamics.Comment: 6 pages, RevTeX, 3 figures, uses epsf.sty; to be published in Phys.Rev.Lett., replaced to match version accepted for publicatio

Abelian-Projected Effective Gauge Theory of QCD with Asymptotic Freedom and Quark Confinement

We give an outline of a recent proof that the low-energy effective gauge theory exhibiting quark confinement due to magnetic monopole condensation can be derived from QCD without any specific assumption. We emphasize that the low-energy effective abelian gauge theories obtained here give the dual description of the same physics in the low-energy region. They show that the QCD vacuum is nothing but the dual (type II) superconductor.Comment: 15 pages, Latex, no figures, Talk given at YKIS'97, Non-perturbative QCD, Kyot

Abelian-Projected Effective Gauge Theory of QCD with Asymptotic Freedom and Quark Confinement

Starting from SU(2) Yang-Mills theory in 3+1 dimensions, we prove that the abelian-projected effective gauge theories are written in terms of the maximal abelian gauge field and the dual abelian gauge field interacting with monopole current. This is performed by integrating out all the remaining non-Abelian gauge field belonging to SU(2)/U(1). We show that the resulting abelian gauge theory recovers exactly the same one-loop beta function as the original Yang-Mills theory. Moreover, the dual abelian gauge field becomes massive if the monopole condensation occurs. This result supports the dual superconductor scenario for quark confinement in QCD. We give a criterion of dual superconductivity and point out that the monopole condensation can be estimated from the classical instanton configuration. Therefore there can exist the effective abelian gauge theory which shows both asymptotic freedom and quark confinement based on the dual Meissner mechanism. Inclusion of arbitrary number of fermion flavors is straightforward in this approach. Some implications to lower dimensional case will also be discussed.Comment: 39 pages, Latex, no figures, (2.2, 4.1, 4.3 are modified; 4.4, Appendices A,B,C and references are added. No change in conclusion

ClinGen Myeloid Malignancy Variant Curation Expert Panel recommendations for germline RUNX1 variants

Standardized variant curation is essential for clinical care recommendations for patients with inherited disorders. Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) variant curation expert panels are developing disease-associated gene specifications using the 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) guidelines to reduce curation discrepancies. The ClinGen Myeloid Malignancy Variant Curation Expert Panel (MM-VCEP) was created collaboratively between the American Society of Hematology and ClinGen to perform gene- and disease-specific modifications for inherited myeloid malignancies. The MM-VCEP began optimizing ACMG/AMP rules for RUNX1 because many germline variants have been described in patients with familial platelet disorder with a predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia, characterized by thrombocytopenia, platelet functional/ultrastructural defects, and a predisposition to hematologic malignancies. The 28 ACMG/AMP codes were tailored for RUNX1 variants by modifying gene/disease specifications, incorporating strength adjustments of existing rules, or both. Key specifications included calculation of minor allele frequency thresholds, formulating a semi-quantitative approach to counting multiple independent variant occurrences, identifying functional domains and mutational hotspots, establishing functional assay thresholds, and characterizing phenotype-specific guidelines. Preliminary rules were tested by using a pilot set of 52 variants; among these, 50 were previously classified as benign/likely benign, pathogenic/likely pathogenic, variant of unknown significance (VUS), or conflicting interpretations (CONF) in ClinVar. The application of RUNX1-specific criteria resulted in a reduction in CONF and VUS variants by 33%, emphasizing the benefit of gene-specific criteria and sharing internal laboratory data.Xi Luo, Simone Feurstein, Shruthi Mohan, Christopher C. Porter, Sarah A. Jackson, Sioban Keel ... et al

Hepatopathy following consumption of a commercially available blue-green algae dietary supplement in a dog

BACKGROUND: Dietary supplement use in both human and animals to augment overall health continues to increase and represents a potential health risk due to the lack of safety regulations imposed on the manufacturers. Because there are no requirements for demonstrating safety and efficacy prior to marketing, dietary supplements may contain potentially toxic contaminants such as hepatotoxic microcystins produced by several species of blue-green algae. CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-year-old female spayed 8.95 kg Pug dog was initially presented for poor appetite, lethargy polyuria, polydipsia, and an inability to get comfortable. Markedly increased liver enzyme activities were detected with no corresponding abnormalities evident on abdominal ultrasound. A few days later the liver enzyme activities were persistently increased and the dog was coagulopathic indicating substantial liver dysfunction. The dog was hospitalized for further care consisting of oral S-adenosylmethionine, silybin, vitamin K, and ursodeoxycholic acid, as well as intravenous ampicillin sodium/sulbactam sodium, dolasetron, N-acetylcysteine, metoclopramide, and intravenous fluids. Improvement of the hepatopathy and the dog’s clinical status was noted over the next three days. Assessment of the dog’s diet revealed the use of a commercially available blue-green algae dietary supplement for three-and-a-half weeks prior to hospitalization. The supplement was submitted for toxicology testing and revealed the presence of hepatotoxic microcystins (MCs), MC-LR and MC-LA. Use of the supplement was discontinued and follow-up evaluation over the next few weeks revealed a complete resolution of the hepatopathy. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of microcystin intoxication in a dog after using a commercially available blue-green algae dietary supplement. Veterinarians should recognize the potential harm that these supplements may cause and know that with intervention, recovery is possible. In addition, more prudent oversight of dietary supplement use is recommended for our companion animals to prevent adverse events/intoxications

Outcomes of Liver Transplantation for Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: a European Liver Transplant Registry Study

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Little is known about outcomes of liver transplantation for patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We aimed to determine the frequency and outcomes of liver transplantation for patients with NASH in Europe and identify prognostic factors. METHODS: We analyzed data from patients transplanted for end-stage liver disease between January 2002 and December 2016 using the European Liver Transplant Registry database. We compared data between patients with NASH versus other etiologies. The principle endpoints were patient and overall allograft survival. RESULTS: Among 68,950 adults undergoing first liver transplantation, 4.0% were transplanted for NASH - an increase from 1.2% in 2002 to 8.4% in 2016. A greater proportion of patients transplanted for NASH (39.1%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than non-NASH patients (28.9%, P65: HR 1.72, P=.017), elevated MELD (>23: HR 1.48, P=.048) and low (40kg.m-2: HR 1.96, P=.012) recipient BMI independently predicted death in patients transplanted for NASH without HCC. Data must be interpreted in the context of absent recognised confounders, such as pre-morbid metabolic risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The number and proportion of liver transplants performed for NASH in Europe has increased from 2002 through 2016. HCC was more common in patients transplanted with NASH. Survival of patients and grafts in patients with NASH is comparable to that of other disease indications. LAY SUMMARY: NASH is a growing indication for liver transplantation in Europe, with good overall outcomes, although careful assessment for risk factors is required to maintain favorable post-transplant outcomes

Seeking Serendipity: A Living Lab Approach to Understanding Creative Retrieval in Broadcast Media Production

This paper presents a method to map user needs and integrate serendipitous search behaviors in search algorithm development: the living lab approach. This user-centered design approach involves technology users during technology development to catch unexpected insights and successfully innovate. This paper focuses on the preliminary findings of a living lab case study to answer the question how this methodology reveals fine-grained information about users' serendipitous search behaviors. The case study involves a specific user group, media professionals who work in broadcast television and use audiovisual archives to create audiovisual content, during the development of new search algorithms for a large audiovisual archive. Research insights are based on data gathered during one co-design workshop, and ten in-depth semi-structured interviews with media professionals. Findings stipulate that these users balance socio-technical constraints and affordances during creative retrieval to (1) find exactly what is sought; and (2) increase the possibility of serendipitous, unforeseen search results. We conclude that modeling these search processes in terms of improvising with constraints and affordances enables an effective articulation and channeling of user-technology interaction insights into new technology development. The paper suggests next steps in the living lab approach to further understand serendipitous search and creative retrieval processes