Generalized invexity-type conditions in constrained optimization

This paper defines a new class of generalized type I functions, and obtains Kuhn-Tucker necessary and sufficient conditions and duality results for constrained optimization problems in the presence of the aforesaid weaker assumptions on the objective and constraint functions involved in the problem.     

Mean-variance model based on filters of minimum spanning tree

This study aims to reduce the statistical uncertainty of the correlation coefficient matrix in the mean-variance model of Markowitz. A filtering algorithm based on minimum spanning tree (MST) is proposed. Daily data of the 30 stocks of the Hang Seng Index (HSI) and Dow Jones Index (DJI) from 2004 to 2009 are selected as the base dataset. The proposed algorithm is compared with the Markowitz method in terms of risk, reliability, and effective size of the portfolio. Results show that (1) although the predicted risk of portfolio built with the MST is slightly higher than that of Markowitz, the realized risk of MST filtering algorithm is much smaller; and (2) the reliability and the effective size of filtering algorithm based on MST is apparently better than that of the Markowitz portfolio. Therefore, conclusion is that filtering algorithm based on MST improves the mean-variance model of Markowitz.     

Characterization of an endo-1,4-β-glucanase from Lilium longiflorum that functioned in pollen germination and pollen tube growth

Endo-β-glucanases play vital roles in the regulation of pollen tube growth. Here, a previously identified endo-l,4-β-glucanase from Lilium Iongiflorum （lily）, named LlpCell, was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and further investigated for its physiological function. The recombinant LlpCell protein hydrolyzed carboxy-methylcellulose （CMC） and exhibited activity towards laminarin from Eisenia. arborea and 1,3：l,4-β-glucan of barley. The pH for the optimum activity was 6.0 and the value of Km calculated from CMC was 5.0 mg/mL. Adding EDTA resulted in the total loss of the enzymatic activity, and this effect could be restored by the addition of Ca^2＋. Western blotting analysis showed that LlpCell protein was present in pollen grains and rehydrated pollen grains, and the amount of the protein was increased during pollen germinating, but not in the pollen tube. Consistently, the immunofluorescence labeling study with the antibody against LIpCell also indicated the presence of LIpCell at the begin-ning of germination, but not in the elongating pollen tube. Furthermore, incubation of LlpCell with pollen at the beginning of pollen germination increased the germination percentage and the length of pollen tube. All of these results suggested that LlpCell could play an important role in the regulation of lily pollen germination and the initiation of pollen tube growth.     

Electromagnetic behavior of two-dimensional quasi-crystal left-handed materials with dendritic unit

We demonstrated a two-dimensional quasi-crystal dendritic structure model with negative permeability. The microwave transmission and reflection properties of periodic and quasi-crystal dendritic structure mediums with varied angle incidence were measured. The results showed that the resonant peaks of quasi-crystal negative permeability samples and left-handed samples had tiny shift with the altering of incident angle. Because of the influence of coupling between quasi-crystal dendritic cells, the resonance of the entire material was enhanced or weakened. The quasi-crystal dendritic structure model will provide an easy method to design isotropic left-handed materials （LHMs）.     

Soluble Jagged 1/Fc chimera protein induces the differentiation and maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells

A soluble Jagged 1/Fc chimera protein （Jagged 1/Fc） was directly used to induce differentiation and maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells （DCs） in mice in vitro. A model of inducing and amplifying DCs in vitrowas established. The effect of Jagged 1/Fc on morphology of DCs induced by both rmGM-CSF and rmlL-4 was observed under a confocal microscope. A fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibody staining combined with flow cytometry was applied to detect the effect of Jagged 1/Fc on the expression of CD11c, MHC-Ⅱ, CD86, CD80 and CD40 molecules on the surface of DCs. The results showed that Jagged 1/Fc did not affect the morphological properties of DC differentiation induced by both rmGM-CSF and rmlL-4. But it could promote the differentiation and maturation of DCs induced by both. The effect of it was strikingly different in the expression profile of co-stimulating molecules and the morphologic properties of DCs from lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. The levels of MHC-Ⅱ and CD40 molecule expression on the surface of DCs stimulated by Jagged 1/Fc were significantly lower than those stimulated by LPS, and the level of CD80 expression on the surface of DCs induced by Jagged 1/Fc was near to that induced by LPS. Jagged 1/Fc had no influence on the expression of CD86 molecule on the surface of DCs. Jagged 1/Fc when used alone could not maintain the growth, differentiation and maturation of DCs. All the findings indicate that Jagged 1/Fc influences the differentiation and maturation of DCs, which is not markedly similar to LPS, providing important evidence for its development and application as a novel immunosuppressant.     

A new chromatographic method for fast separation of active proteins

A new method with only a single chromatographic column to accomplish the separation of intact protein molecules by the combination of ion exchange chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography is firstly presented. By selecting twice a suitable stationary phase, mobile phase, buffer exchange condition, and sample injection, some proteins usually required to separate with two-dimensional chromatography can now be accomplished only using the single column in one hour. In addition, the separated proteins can maintain their original three-or four-dimensional molecular structure. It would be expected that this method can also provide a new thought for sample pre-fractionation in proteomic investigation, especially, for the limitation of sample source.     

Micro-Raman investigations on the structures of the surface and the inner of MgSO<Subscript>4</Subscript> droplets

Spherical MgSO4 droplets were deposited by a syringe on the hydrophobic Teflon substrate. Using micro-Raman technique, the laser beam was highly focused twice on the surface and in the center of spherlcel droplets. The Raman spectra for the surface and the inner of MgSO4 droplets were accordingly obtained, suggesting formation of a thin layer of gels on MgSO4 droplets at low relative humidity. The gel layer covered the surface and exhibited a significant delay in response to the change of amblent relative humidity, resulting in the structural difference between the surface and the inner of MgSO4 droplets.     

Bio-replicated forming of the biomimetic drag-reducing surfaces in large area based on shark skin

On the investigation of biomimetic drag-reducing surface, direct replication of the firm scarfskins on low-resistance creatures to form biomimetic drag-reducing surfaces with relatively vivid morphology relative to the living prototype is a new attempt of the bio-replicated forming technology. Taking shark skin as the bio-replication template, the hot embossing method was applied to the micro-replication of its outward morphology. Furthermore, the skins were jointed together to form the drag-reducing surface in large area. The results of the resistance measurements in a water tunnel according to the flat-plate sample pieces have shown that the biomimetic shark-skin coating fabricated by the bio-replicated forming method has significant drag reduction effect, and that the drag reduction efficiency reached 8.25% in the test conditions.     

Lithium bond structures of HnY （n=2, 3; Y=O,S, N）…LiNH2 and the abnormal blue shift of N-Li bond

The optimized geometries of the complexes between HnY （n=2, 3; Y=O, S, N） and LiNH2 have been calculated at the B3LYP/6-311＋＋G^＊＊ and MP2/6-311＋＋G^＊＊ levels. Three stable complexes were obtained. Frequency analysis showed that the enlarged 2N-4Li presents the abnormal blue shift in three complexes. The calculated binding energy with basis set super-position error （BSSE） and zero-point vibrational energy （ZPE） corrections of complex Ⅰ-Ⅲ is -58.65, -31.66 and -69.59 kJ·mol^-1 （MP2）, respectively. Natural bond orbital theory （NBO） analysis has been performed, and the results revealed that the H2O…LiNH2 （complex I） and H3N…LiNH2 （complex Ⅲ） are formed with coexisting σ-s and n-s type lithium bond interactions, complex Ⅱ is formed with ττ-s type lithium bond interaction between HnY （n=2,3; Y=O, N） and LiNH2, and H2S…LiNH2 （complex Ⅱ） is formed with n-s type lithium bond interaction between H2S and LiNH2. Natural resonance theory （NRT） and atom in molecule （AIM） theory have also been studied to investigate the bond order and topological properties of the lithium bond structures.