g_{\pi \Lambda \Sigma} and g_{K \Sigma \Xi} from QCD sum rules

The coupling constants g_{\pi \Lambda \Sigma} and g_{K \Sigma \Xi} are calculated in the QCD sum rule approach using the three-point function method and taking into account the SU(3) symmetry breaking effects. The pattern of SU(3) breaking appears to be different from that based on SU(3) relations.Comment: revtex, 9 page

Transmission Problems for the Navier–Stokes and Darcy–Forchheimer–Brinkman Systems in Lipschitz Domains on Compact Riemannian Manifolds

M. Kohr acknowledges the support of the Grant PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0994 of the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, CNCS-UEFISCDI. The research has been also partially supported by the Grant EP/M013545/1: “Mathematical Analysis of Boundary-Domain Integral Equations for Nonlinear PDEs” from the EPSRC, UK

Which tissues are best for microbiological diagnosis in patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis undergoing needle biopsy?

AbstractIdentification of the causative microorganism is important in the management of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO). The aim of this study was to investigate whether culture positive rates differ between needle biopsy sites in patients with PVO, and which tissues are best for microbiological diagnosis. Between January 2005 and December 2013, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of PVO patients who had soft-tissue abscesses (paraspinal or psoas abscesses) and who received needle biopsy for microbiological diagnosis. Needle biopsy sites were classified into two anatomical categories: vertebral bodies, or soft tissues (intervertebral discs, paraspinal abscesses, or psoas abscesses). A generalized estimating equation model was developed to identify factors associated with tissue-culture positivity. During the study period a total of 136 tissues were obtained by needle biopsy from 128 PVO patients with soft-tissue abscesses. The culture positive rates of vertebral bodies and soft tissues were 39.7% (29/73), and 63.5% (40/63), respectively (p < 0.05). In a multivariate analysis, male gender (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.24, 95% CI 1.00–5.02), higher C-reactive protein (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.15), positive blood culture (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.01–6.59), and soft tissues as biopsy site compared with vertebral bodies (aOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.08–4.78) were independent factors associated with tissue culture positivity. Soft tissues were the best sites for microbiological diagnosis in PVO patients undergoing needle biopsy

Enhanced degradation of carbon tetrachloride by surfactant-modified zero-valent iron

Sorption of carbon tetrachloride (CT) by zero-valent iron (ZVI) is the rate-limiting step in the degradation of CT, so the sorption capacity of ZVI is of great importance. This experiment was aimed at enhancing the sorption of CT by ZVI and the degradation rate of CT by modification of surfactants. This study showed that ZVI modified by cationic surfactants has favorable synergistic effect on the degradation of CT. The CT degradation rate of ZVI modified by cetyl pyridinium bromide (CPB) was higher than that of the unmodified ZVI by 130%, and the CT degradation rate of ZVI modified by cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was higher than that of the unmodified ZVI by 81%. This study also showed that the best degradation effect is obtained at the near critical micelle concentrations (CMC) and that high loaded cationic surfactant does not have good synergistic effect on the degradation due to its hydrophilicity and the block in surface reduction sites. Furthermore degradation of CT by ZVI modified by nonionic surfactant has not positive effect on the degradation as the ionic surfactant and the ZVI modified by anionic surfactant has hardly any obvious effects on the degradation