Hot Gauge Theories and ZNZ_{N} Phases

In this paper the several aspects of the $Z_{N}$ symmetry in gauge theories at high temperatures are discussed. The metastable $Z_{N}$ bubbles in the $SU(N)$ gauge theories with fermions may have, generically, unacceptable thermodynamic behavior. Their free energy $F \propto T^4$ with a positive proportionality constant. This leads not only to negative pressure but also to negative specific heat and, more seriously, to negative entropy. We argue that although such domains are important in the Euclidean theory, they cannot be interpreted as physical domains in Minkowski space. The related problem is connected with the analysis of the high-temperature limit of the confining phase. Using the two-dimensional QCD with adjoint fermions as a toy model we shall demonstrate that in the light fermion limit in this theory there is no breaking of the $Z_{N}$ symmetry in the high-temperature limit and thus there are no $Z_{N}$ bubbles.Comment: preprint PUPT-1415, 21

Corrections to the Electroweak Effective Action at Finite Temperature

We calculate contributions to the finite temperature effective action for the electroweak phase transition (EWPT) at \O(g^4), {\it i.e.} at second order in (g^2 T/\M) and all orders in (g^2 T^2/\M^2). This requires plasma-mass corrections in the calculation of the effective potential, inclusion of the ``lollipop'' diagram, and an estimate of derivative corrections. We find the EWPT remains too weakly first-order to drive baryogenesis. We calculate some one loop kinetic energy corrections using both functional and diagrammatic methods; these may be important for saddlepoint configurations such as the bounce or sphaleron.Comment: LaTeX, 6 figures available by email, CALT-68-1795, HUTP-92-A027, EFI-92-2

Evidence That Aberrant Expression of Tissue Transglutaminase Promotes Stem Cell Characteristics in Mammary Epithelial Cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor initiating cells (TICs) make up only a small fraction of total tumor cell population, but recent evidence suggests that they are responsible for tumor initiation and the maintenance of tumor growth. Whether CSCs/TICs originate from normal stem cells or result from the dedifferentiation of terminally differentiated cells remains unknown. Here we provide evidence that sustained expression of the proinflammatory protein tissue transglutaminase (TG2) confers stem cell like properties in non-transformed and transformed mammary epithelial cells. Sustained expression of TG2 was associated with increase in CD44high/CD24low/- subpopulation, increased ability of cells to form mammospheres, and acquisition of self-renewal ability. Mammospheres derived from TG2-transfected mammary epithelial cells (MCF10A) differentiated into complex secondary structures when grown in Matrigel cultures. Cells in these secondary structures differentiated into Muc1-positive (luminal marker) and integrin α6-positive (basal marker) cells in response to prolactin treatment. Highly aggressive MDA-231 and drug-resistant MCF-7/RT breast cancer cells, which express high basal levels of TG2, shared many traits with TG2-transfected MCF10A stem cells but unlike MCF10A-derived stem cells they failed to form the secondary structures and to differentiate into Muc1-positive luminal cells when grown in Matrigel culture. Downregulation of TG2 attenuated stem cell properties in both non-transformed and transformed mammary epithelial cells. Taken together, these results suggested a new function for TG2 and revealed a novel mechanism responsible for promoting the stem cell characteristics in adult mammary epithelial cells