Isovector Meson Masses from QCD Sum Rules

We present a calculation of the masses of the isovector mesons ( vector, scalar and pseudoscalar including the established recurrences) using a new method of finite energy QCD sum rules. The method is based on the idea of choosing a suitable integration kernel which minimizes the occurring integral over the cut in the complex energy (squared) plane. We obtain remarkably stable results in a wide range R, where R is the radius of the integration contour. The sum rule predictions agree with the experimental values within the expected accuracy showing that QCD describes single resonances.Comment: Typos and misprints correcte

Chiral condensates from tau decay: a critical reappraisal

The saturation of QCD chiral sum rules is reanalyzed in view of the new and complete analysis of the ALEPH experimental data on the difference between vector and axial-vector correlators (V-A). Ordinary finite energy sum rules (FESR) exhibit poor saturation up to energies below the tau-lepton mass. A remarkable improvement is achieved by introducing pinched, as well as minimizing polynomial integral kernels. Both methods are used to determine the dimension d=6 and d=8 vacuum condensates in the Operator Product Expansion, with the results: {O}_{6}=-(0.00226 \pm 0.00055) GeV^6, and O_8=-(0.0053 \pm 0.0033) GeV^8 from pinched FESR, and compatible values from the minimizing polynomial FESR. Some higher dimensional condensates are also determined, although we argue against extending the analysis beyond dimension d = 8. The value of the finite remainder of the (V-A) correlator at zero momentum is also redetermined: \Pi (0)= -4 \bar{L}_{10}=0.02579 \pm 0.00023. The stability and precision of the predictions are significantly improved compared to earlier calculations using the old ALEPH data. Finally, the role and limits of applicability of the Operator Product Expansion in this channel are clarified.Comment: Replaced versio

D and D-S decay constants from QCD duality at three loops

We compute the decay constants of the pseudoscalar mesons D and D_{s} using a linear combination of finite energy sum rules which minimize the contribution of the unknown continuum spectral function. We employ the recent three loop calculation of the pseudoscalar two-point function expanded in powers of the running charm quark mass. The theoretical uncertainties arising from the QCD asymptotic expansion are quite relevant in this case due to the relative small scale of the charm mass. We obtain the following results: f_{D}=177 \pm 21 MeV and f_{D_{s}}=205 \pm 22 MeV. These results, within the error bars, are in good agreement with estimates obtained using Borel transform QCD sum rules, but somewhat smaller than results of recent lattice computations

Strange quark condensate from QCD sum rules to five loops

It is argued that it is valid to use QCD sum rules to determine the scalar and pseudoscalar two-point functions at zero momentum, which in turn determine the ratio of the strange to non-strange quark condensates $R_{su} = \frac{}{}$ with ($q=u,d$). This is done in the framework of a new set of QCD Finite Energy Sum Rules (FESR) that involve as integration kernel a second degree polynomial, tuned to reduce considerably the systematic uncertainties in the hadronic spectral functions. As a result, the parameters limiting the precision of this determination are $\Lambda_{QCD}$, and to a major extent the strange quark mass. From the positivity of $R_{su}$ there follows an upper bound on the latter: $\bar{m_{s}} (2 {GeV}) \leq 121 (105) {MeV}$, for $\Lambda_{QCD} = 330 (420) {MeV} .$Comment: Minor changes to Sections 2 and

Gauge-Independent Analysis of K_L --> e \mu in Left-Right Models

The lepton-flavour-violating decay K_L --> e \mu is studied in detail within the context of SU(2)_R x SU(2)_L x U(1)_(B-L) models, which include heavy Majorana neutrinos. Particular attention is paid to the gauge independence of this decay process to one loop. In analogy with earlier studies on the K^0\bar{K}^0 mixing, it is explicitly shown how restoration of gauge invariance occurs in the decay amplitude containing the box diagrams, when the relevant Higgs-dependent self-energy and vertex graphs are taken into account in the on-shell skeleton renormalization scheme. Based on the analytic expressions so derived, we find that the branching ratio B(K_L --> e \mu) can be considerably enhanced due to the presence of left- and right-handed currents in the loop, and can reach values close to or even larger than the present experimental limit 3.3 x 10^{-11} in the manifest left-right symmetric model. Constraints on the parameter space of typical left-right models are derived from the possible decay K_L --> e \mu and a global analysis of other low-energy data.Comment: 44 pages, LaTeX, six encapsulated figures include

Randomized-controlled trial of the DIALIVE liver dialysis device vs. standard of care in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by severe systemic inflammation, multi-organ failure and high mortality rates. Its treatment is an urgent unmet need. DIALIVE is a novel liver dialysis device that aims to exchange d ysfunctional albumin and remove damage- and pathogen-associated molecular patterns. This first-in-man randomized, controlled clinical trial was performed with the primary aim of assessing its safety in ACLF patients with secondary aims to evaluate its clinical effects, device performance and effect on pathophysiologically-relevant biomarkers. METHODS: 32 alcoholic cirrhosis patients with ACLF were included. Patients were treated with DIALIVE for up to 5-days and end points were assessed at Day-10. Safety was assessed in all patients (n=32). The secondary aims were assessed in a pre-specified subgroup that had at least 3-treatment sessions with DIALIVE (n=30). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in 28-day mortality or occurrence of serious adverse events between the groups. Significant reduction in the severity of endotoxemia and improvement in albumin function was observed in DIALIVE group, which translated into a significant reduction in the CLIF-C (Chronic Liver Failure consortium) organ failure (p=0.018) and CLIF-C ACLF scores (p=0.042) at Day-10. Time to resolution of ACLF was significantly faster in DIALIVE group (p=0.036). Biomarkers of systemic inflammation such as IL-8 (p=0.006), cell death [cytokeratin-18: M30 (p=0.005) and M65 (p=0.029)], endothelial function [asymmetric dimethylarginine (p=0.002)] and, ligands for toll-like receptor 4 (p=0.030) and inflammasome (p=0.002) improved significantly in DIALIVE group. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that DIALIVE appears to be safe and impacts positively on prognostic scores and pathophysiologically relevant biomarkers in patients with ACLF. Larger, adequately powered studies are warranted to further confirm its safety and efficacy. LAY SUMMARY: This is the first-in-man clinical trial which tested DIALIVE, a novel liver dialysis device for the treatment of liver cirrhosis and acute on chronic liver failure, a condition associated with severe inflammation, organ failures and a high risk of death. The study met the primary end point confirming DIALIVE system to be safe. Additionally, it reduced inflammation with improved clinical parameters. It did not, however, reduce mortality in this small study and requires further larger clinical trials to re-confirm its safety and evaluate efficacy. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT03065699

A Wedding Gone Wrong The Rather Worldly Woes of a Rather Wealthy Qādirī Sufi Shaykh. Two 18th Century Documents from the Ottoman Court Records of Ḥamā and Aleppo

A rather intricate legal case took place first in Ḥamā’s and then in Aleppo’s Ottoman Islamic courts around the middle of the 18th century. The setting, the social standing of the individuals involved, and the alleged circumstances of the case all contribute to make clear that this was not just another routine court case. Altogether, the two documents are a good example of the scope and quality of the information preserved in the archives of local courts and they both demonstrate the extent and modes of implementation of Islamic law in a specific Ottoman milieu. The long inventory of personal property in the Aleppo document gives us a good idea of the social status and affluence enjoyed by the plaintiff – a member of the Jīlānī/Qādirī family - and an interesting insight into material culture and what constituted wealth and affluence at the time.