Dirac Equation at Finite Temperature

In this paper, we propose finite temperature Dirac equation, which can describe the quantum systems in an arbitrary temperature for a relativistic particle of spin-1/2. When the temperature T=0, it become Dirac equation. With the equation, we can study the relativistic quantum systems in an arbitrary temperature.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1005.2751, arXiv:hep-ph/0004125, arXiv:hep-ph/0005272 by other author

A study on quantum mechanical approach for C60C_{60} diffraction analysis

Diffraction phenomena of large molecules have been studied in many experiments, and these experiments are described by many theoretical works. In this paper, we study $C_{60}$ molecules single and double-slit diffraction with quantum theory approach, and we pay close attention to the $C_{60}$ diffraction experiment carried out by A.Zeilinger et.at in 1999. In double-slit diffraction, we consider the decoherence effect, and find the theoretical results are good agreement with experimental data.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:0910.302

A novel mutation in the CRYAA gene associated with congenital cataract and microphthalmia in a Chinese family

Abstract Background Congenital cataract is the leading cause of blindness in children worldwide. Approximately half of all congenital cataracts have a genetic basis. Protein aggregation is the single most important factor in cataract formation. Methods A four-generation Chinese family diagnosed with autosomal dominant congenital cataracts and microphthalmia was recruited at the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of the participants. All coding exons and flanking regions of seven candidate genes (CRYAA, CRYBA4, CRYBB2, CRYGC, GJA8, MAF, and PITX3) were amplified and sequenced. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assays were performed to confirm the candidate causative variant, c.35G > T in the CRYAA gene. We constructed pcDNA3.1(+)-CRYAA expression plasmids containing either the wild-type or the R12L mutant alleles and respectively transfected them into HEK293T cells and into HeLa cells. Western blotting was performed to determine protein expression levels and protein solubility. Immunofluorescence was performed to determine protein sub-cellular localization. Results A heterozygous variant c.35G > T was identified in exon 1 of CRYAA, which resulted in a substitution of arginine to leucine at codon 12 (p.R12L). The nucleotide substitution c.35G > T was co-segregated with the disease phenotype in the family. The mutant R12L-CRYAA in HEK293T cells showed a significant increase in the expression level of the CRYAA protein compared with the wild-type cells. Moreover, a large amount of the mutant protein aggregated in the precipitate where the wild-type protein was not detected. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the overexpressed mutant CRYAA in HeLa cells formed large cytoplasmic aggregates and aggresomes. Conclusions In summary, we described a case of human congenital cataract and microphthalmia caused by a novel mutation in the CRYAA gene, which substituted an arginine at position 12 in the N-terminal region of αA-crystallin. The molecular mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of human congenital cataract may be characterized by the prominent effects of the p.R12L mutation on αA-crystallin aggregation and solubility. Our study also expands the spectrum of known CRYAA mutations

Assessing the Content Quality of Industry Technology Roadmaps

An industry technology roadmap (hereafter ITRM) is a strategic planning tool to predict the technologies and innovations demanded by the future market, allowing the industry to leverage capital and other investments in a range of alternative technologies and achieve sustainable development. To date, ITRM has been adopted by various global organizations in different industries; however, the majority of research has focused on roadmapping techniques only. Although success factors have been mentioned in some of the literature, little work has been conducted to assess the success of any ITRM. This research, therefore, developed an assessment model, including a theoretical and knowledge framework, assessment methods, and quantitative indices, to systematically assess the contents of an ITRM. We then used it to assess four global textile ITRMs. The assessment results led us to recommend five success factors of an effective ITRM: (1) methodological industry technology roadmapping; (2) a multi-organizational background; (3) systematic presentation of ITRM contents; (4) balanced contents for market and technology forces; and (5) appropriate databases. Compared with the success factors proposed in the previous literature, these five success factors are more practical for roadmap content construction