2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/178904There is a sharp increase in the relative number of degrees of freedom at the deconfining phase transition. Characterizing this increase using the Polyakov Loop model, we find that for a nearly second order deconfining phase transition, the medium-induced energy loss turns on rapidly above T_c, proportional to the relative number of degrees of freedom. Further, energy loss is logarithmically dependent on the screening mass, and thus is sensitive to nearly critical scattering.5 pages, REVTEX, no figures; sensitivity of energy loss to the screening mass and to nearly critical scattering addedHigh Energy Physics - PhenomenologyHigh Energy Physics - LatticeNuclear Theorytext