The nonlocal Polyakov-loop-extended Nambu--Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) model is
further improved by including momentum-dependent wave-function renormalization
in the quark quasiparticle propagator. Both two- and three-flavor versions of
this improved PNJL model are discussed, the latter with inclusion of the
(nonlocal) 't Hooft-Kobayashi-Maskawa determinant interaction in order to
account for the axial U(1) anomaly. Thermodynamics and phases are investigated
and compared with recent lattice-QCD results.Comment: 28 pages, 11 figures, 4 tables; minor changes compared to v1;
extended conclusion
