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

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-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

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