Symmetry of Dirac Equation and Corresponding Phenomenology

It has been suggested that the high symmetries in the Schr\"odinger equation with the Coulomb or harmonic oscillator potentials may remain in the corresponding relativistic Dirac equation. If the principle is correct, in the Dirac equation the potential should have a form as ${(1+\beta)\over 2}V(r)$ where $V(r)$ is ${-e^2\over r}$ for hydrogen atom and $\kappa r^2$ for harmonic oscillator. However, in the case of hydrogen atom, by this combination the spin-orbit coupling term would not exist and it is inconsistent with the observational spectra of hydrogen atom, so that the symmetry of SO(4) must reduce into SU(2). The governing mechanisms QED and QCD which induce potential are vector-like theories, so at the leading order only vector potential exists. However, the higher order effects may cause a scalar fraction. In this work, we show that for QED, the symmetry restoration is very small and some discussions on the symmetry breaking are made. At the end, we briefly discuss the QCD case and indicate that the situation for QCD is much more complicated and interesting.Comment: 15pages, 3 figures, accepted by International Journal of Modern Physics

Phenomenological study on the significance of the scalar potential and Lamb shift

We indicated in our previous work that for QED the contributions of the scalar potential which appears at the loop level is much smaller than that of the vector potential and in fact negligible. But the situation may be different for QCD, one reason is that the loop effects are more significant because $\alpha_s$ is much larger than $\alpha$, and secondly the non-perturbative QCD effects may induce the scalar potential. In this work, we phenomenologically study the contribution of the scalar potential to the spectra of charmonia. Taking into account both vector and scalar potentials, by fitting the well measured charmonia spectra, we re-fix the relevant parameters and test them by calculating other states of the charmonia family. We also consider the role of the Lamb shift and present the numerical results with and without involving the Lamb shift

Neutrino decay as a possible interpretation to the MiniBooNE observation with unparticle scenario

In a new measurement on neutrino oscillation $\nu_{\mu}\to\nu_e$, the MiniBooNE Collaboration observes an excess of electron-like events at low energy and the phenomenon may demand an explanation which obviously is beyond the oscillation picuture. We propose that heavier neutrino $\nu_2$ decaying into a lighter one $\nu_1$ via the transition process $\nu_{\mu}\to \nu_e+X$ where $X$ denotes any light products, could be a natural mechanism. The theoretical model we employ here is the unparticle scenario established by Georgi. We have studied two particular modes \nu_\mu\to \nu_e+\Un and $\nu_\mu\to \nu_e+\bar\nu_e+\nu_e$. Unfortunately, the number coming out from the computation is too small to explain the observation. Moreover, our results are consistent with the cosmology constraint on the neutrino lifetime and the theoretical estimation made by other groups, therefore we can conclude that even though neutrino decay seems plausible in this case, it indeed cannot be the source of the peak at lower energy observed by the MiniBooNE collaboration and there should be other mechanisms responsible for the phenomenon.Comment: 14 pages, conclusions are changed; published version for EPJ

The Unusual Superconducting State at 49 K in Electron-Doped CaFe2As2 at Ambient

We report the detection of unusual superconductivity up to 49 K in single crystalline CaFe2As2 via electron-doping by partial replacement of Ca by rare-earth. The superconducting transition observed suggests the possible existence of two phases: one starting at ~ 49 K, which has a low critical field ~ 4 Oe, and the other at ~ 21 K, with a much higher critical field > 5 T. Our observations are in strong contrast to previous reports of doping or pressurizing layered compounds AeFe2As2 (or Ae122), where Ae = Ca, Sr or Ba. In Ae122, hole-doping has been previously observed to generate superconductivity with a transition temperature (Tc) only up to 38 K and pressurization has been reported to produce superconductivity with a Tc up to 30 K. The unusual 49 K phase detected will be discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure

Differential gene expression profile in pig adipose tissue treated with/without clenbuterol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clenbuterol, a beta-agonist, can dramatically reduce pig adipose accumulation at high dosages. However, it has been banned in pig production because people who eat pig products treated with clenbuterol can be poisoned by the clenbuterol residues. To understand the molecular mechanism for this fat reduction, cDNA microarray, real-time PCR, two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectra were used to study the differential gene expression profiles of pig adipose tissues treated with/without clenbuterol. The objective of this research is to identify novel genes and physiological pathways that potentially facilitate clenbuterol induced reduction of adipose accumulation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Clenbuterol was found to improve the lean meat percentage about 10 percent (P < 0.05). The adipose cells became smaller and the muscle fibers became thicker with the administration of clenbuterol. The mRNA abundance levels of 82 genes (ESTs) were found to be statistically differentially expressed based on the Student t-test (P < 0.05) in the microarray analyses which contained 3358 genes (ESTs). These 82 genes (ESTs) were divided into four groups according to their Gene Ontology Biological Process descriptions. 16 genes were cellular metabolism related genes (including five related to lipid metabolism such as apolipoprotein D and apolipoprotein R), 10 were signal transduction related genes, 45 were expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and 11 others were of various categories. Eleven of the 82 genes (ESTs) were chosen for real-time PCR analysis, with eight genes showing similar induction magnitude as that seen in the microarray data. Apolipoprotein R was also found to be up-regulated by the proteomic analysis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Pig fat accumulation was reduced dramatically with clenbuterol treatment. Histological sections and global evaluation of gene expression after administration of clenbuterol in pigs identified profound changes in adipose cells. With clenbuterol stimulation, adipose cell volumes decreased and their gene expression profile changed, which indicate some metabolism processes have been also altered. Although the biological functions of the differentially expressed genes are not completely known, higher expressions of these molecules in adipose tissue might contribute to the reduction of fat accumulation. Among these genes, five lipid metabolism related genes were of special interest for further study, including apoD and apoR. The apoR expression was increased at both the RNA and protein levels. The apoR may be one of the critical molecules through which clenbuterol reduces fat accumulation.</p

Path integral solution for an angle-dependent anharmonic oscillator

We have given a straightforward method to solve the problem of noncentral anharmonic oscillator in three dimensions. The relative propagator is presented by means of path integrals in spherical coordinates. By making an adequate change of time we were able to separate the angular motion from the radial one. The relative propagator is then exactly calculated. The energy spectrum and the corresponding wave functions are obtained.Comment: Corrected typos and mistakes, To appear in Communications in Theoretical Physic

Interprovincial reliance for improving air quality in China:A case study on black carbon aerosol

Black carbon (BC) is of global concern because of its adverse effects on climate and human health. It can travel long distances via atmospheric movement and can be geographically relocated through trade. Here, we explored the integrated patterns of BC transport within 30 provinces in China from the perspective of meteorology and interprovincial trade using the Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF/Chem) model and multiregional input-output analysis. In general, cross-border BC transport, which accounts for more than 30% of the surface concentration, occurs mainly between neighboring provinces. Specifically, Hebei contributes 1.2 μg·m(-3) BC concentration in Tianjin. By contrast, trade typically drives virtual BC flows from developed provinces to heavily industrial provinces, with the largest net flow from Beijing to Hebei (4.2 Gg). Shanghai is most vulnerable to domestic consumption with an average interprovincial consumption influence efficiency of 1.5 × 10(-4) (μg·m(-3))/(billion Yuan·yr(-1)). High efficiencies (∼8 × 10(-5) (μg·m(-3))/(billion Yuan·yr(-1))) are also found from regions including Beijing, Jiangsu, and Shanghai to regions including Hebei, Shandong, and Henan. The above source-receptor relationship indicates two control zones: Huabei and Huadong. Both mitigating end-of-pipe emissions and rationalizing the demand for pollution-intense products are important within the two control zones to reduce BC and other pollutants