Fixed twist dynamics of SO(3) gauge theory

We perform a throughout study of 3+1 dim. SO(3) LGT for any fixed-twist background. We concentrate in particular on the physically significant trivial and 1-twist sectors. Introducing a Z(2) monopole chemical potential the 1st order bulk transition is moved down in the strong coupling region and weakened to 2nd order in the 4-dim Ising model universality class. In this extended phase diagram we gain access to a confined phase in every fixed twist sector of the theory. The Pisa disorder operator is employed together with the Polyakov loop to study the confinement-deconfinement transition in each sector. Due to the specific properties of both operators, most results can be used to gain insight in the ergodic theory, where all twist sectors should be summed upon. An explicit mapping of each fixed twist theory to effective positive plaquette models with fixed twisted boundary conditions is applied to better establish their properties in the different phases.Comment: 20 pages, 11 Figures. Minor changes in text and figures, to appear in Eur.Phys.J.

Fiscal Smell Tests: A Mid-Term Reality Check of Massachusetts Finances

In his latest budget message the Governor points to achievement of a real, but fragile fiscal balance. On the credit side of the ledger, he cites four balanced budgets, reduced reliance on one-time revenues, no new taxes, five tax cuts, no deficit borrowing, and a triple upgrade in bond rating. On the debit side are continued spending pressures, slow tax revenue growth and burdensome levels of debt. But is the fiscal condition of the Commonwealth stable, albeit fragile? Or would a careful reading of the numbers transmit another message? The purpose of this report is to measure the Commonwealth\u27s financial health against a generally accepted list of performance indicators in order to render an independent judgment about the state\u27s fiscal progress and condition

Universality, vortices and confinement: modified SO(3) lattice gauge theory at non-zero temperature

We investigate the adjoint SU(2) lattice gauge theory in 3+1 dimensions with the Wilson plaquette action modified by a Z(2) monopole suppression term. For the zero-twist sector we report indications for the existence of a finite temperature effect decoupled from the unphysical bulk transitions.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures. Some figures and text added. To appear on Phys. Rev.

Poorly differentiated clusters (PDC) in colorectal cancer: what is and ought to be known.

The counting of poorly differentiated clusters of 5 or more cancer cells lacking a gland-like structure in a tumor mass has recently been identified among the histological features predictive of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. Poorly differentiated clusters can easily be recognized in the histological sections of colorectal cancer routinely stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Despite some limitations related to specimen fragmentation, counting can also be assessed in endoscopic biopsies. Based on the number of poorly differentiated clusters that appear under a microscopic field of a ×20 objective lens (i.e., a microscopic field with a major axis of 1 mm), colorectal cancer can be graded into malignancies as follows: tumors with <5 clusters as grade 1, tumors with 5 to 9 clusters as grade 2, and tumors with ≥10 clusters as grade 3. High poorly differentiated cluster counts are significantly associated with peri-neural and lympho-vascular invasion, the presence of nodal metastases or micrometastases, as well as shorter overall and progression free survival to colorectal cancer. The morphological aspects and clinical relevance of poorly differentiated clusters counting in colorectal cancer are discussed in this review