Optimal multi-asset investment with no-shorting constraint under mean-variance criterion for an insurer

This paper considers the optimal investment strategy for an insurer under the criterion of mean-variance. The risk process is a compound Poisson process and the insurer can invest in a risk-free asset and multiple risky assets. This paper obtains the optimal investment policy using the stochastic linear quadratic (LQ) control theory with no-shorting constraint. Then the efficient strategy (optimal investment strategy) and efficient frontier are derived explicitly by a verification theorem with the viscosity solution of Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation.     

Sample average approximation method for a class of stochastic variational inequality problems

This paper considers a class of stochastic variational inequality problems. As proposed by Jiang and Xu (2008), by using the so-called regularized gap function, the authors formulate the problems as constrained optimization problems and then propose a sample average approximation method for solving the problems. Under some moderate conditions, the authors investigate the limiting behavior of the optimal values and the optimal solutions of the approximation problems. Finally, some numerical results are reported to show efficiency of the proposed method.     

Optimum design of equivalent accelerated life testing plans based on proportional hazards-proportional odds model

The optimum design of equivalent accelerated life testing plan based on proportional hazards-proportional odds model using D-optimality is presented.The defined equivalent test plan is the test plan that has the same value of the determinant of Fisher information matrix.The equivalent test plan of step stress accelerated life testing(SSALT) to a baseline optimum constant stress accelerated life testing(CSALT) plan is obtained by adjusting the censoring time of SSALT and solving the optimization problem for each case to achieve the same value of the determinant of Fisher information matrix as in the baseline optimum CSALT plan.Numerical examples are given finally which demonstrate the equivalent SSALT plan to the baseline optimum CSALT plan reduces almost half of the test time while achieving approximately the same estimation errors of model parameters.     

Codimension-two bifurcations analysis and tracking control on a discrete epidemic model

In this paper, the dynamic behaviors of a discrete epidemic model with a nonlinear incidence rate obtained by Euler method are discussed, which can exhibit the periodic motions and chaotic behaviors under the suitable system parameter conditions. Codimension-two bifurcations of the discrete epidemic model, associated with 1:1 strong resonance, 1:2 strong resonance, 1:3 strong resonance and 1:4 strong resonance, are analyzed by using the bifurcation theorem and the normal form method of maps. Moreover, in order to eliminate the chaotic behavior of the discrete epidemic model, a tracking controller is designed such that the disease disappears gradually. Finally, numerical simulations are obtained by the phase portraits, the maximum Lyapunov exponents diagrams for two different varying parameters in 3-dimension space, the bifurcation diagrams, the computations of Lyapunov exponents and the dynamic response. They not only illustrate the validity of the proposed results, but also display the interesting and complex dynamical behaviors.     

Community Development and Renaissance Social Humanism: Some Lessons for Systems Science

Starting from the crisis in our communities—research has indicated it to be widely spread—the author explores the scientific tradition preceding the rise of modernism in order to draw out a more humane way of thinking that may help our contemporary societies. He discerns between two types of Renaissance humanism, one characterised by its cleverness, the other by its compassion and desire to restore dignity to the lives of people struggling to escape the clutches of medievalism. The father of the latter is Erasmus of Rotterdam and we follow the development of his conception of a social humanism as it branches out, through the work of his successors, into every scientific discipline, both natural and human. These disciplines are united by an embracing systemic idea of philosophy that unites the mind with the heart and which Erasmus called “Philosophia Christi”. We examine the two main pillars upon which this philosophy is built, love for our neighbour and education as the only legitimate instrument to change society, and the extraordinary impact it had on science and on communities living in the seventeenth century. We contrast this with the idea of power, the chosen instrument of modernity to transform society, and trace some of its tragic outcomes. We conclude by discussing the incorporation of an Erasmian type of social humanism into systems education and the future development of such programmes.     

浅谈高速公路施工中强夯路基监理

由于高速公路建设要求高、工期短、点多面广范围大,在施工中需要不断创新,运用新技术、新工艺成为必然。近年来,强夯路基技术在高速公路中广泛使用,并且取得了一定的效果。文章结合广东某高速公路强夯法的施工监理进行探讨。     

Enhanced mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets by continuous bending process after V-bending

The effects of V-bending process, continuous bending process and combination process on the microstructure and mechanical properties and formability of an AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet were investigated. The experimental results showed that no twins were found in the microstructure of all samples after processes due to the fine grain. The V-bending and continuous bending processes were proved to be an effective approach to modify the mechanical properties and formability. While the samples after the combination process exhibited better mechanical properties and formability than the single processed sample. The yield strength significantly decreased with the value of 100 MPa and the fracture elongation enhanced to 18.3% at room temperature. The Erichsen value was 5.0 mm which was significantly increased by 117% compared with as-received sample. The superior formability of combination processed samples was mainly attributed to the smaller r-value and n-value.     

14-3-3sigma controls mitotic translation to facilitate cytokinesis

14-3-3 proteins are crucial in a wide variety of cellular responses including cell cycle progression, DNA damage checkpoints and apoptosis. One particular 14-3-3 isoform, sigma, is a p53-responsive gene, the function of which is frequently lost in human tumours, including breast and prostate cancers as a result of either hypermethylation of the 14-3-3sigma promoter or induction of an oestrogen-responsive ubiquitin ligase that specifically targets 14-3-3sigma for proteasomal degradation. Loss of 14-3-3sigma protein occurs not only within the tumours themselves but also in the surrounding pre-dysplastic tissue (so-called field cancerization), indicating that 14-3-3sigma might have an important tumour suppressor function that becomes lost early in the process of tumour evolution. The molecular basis for the tumour suppressor function of 14-3-3sigma is unknown. Here we report a previously unknown function for 14-3-3sigma as a regulator of mitotic translation through its direct mitosis-specific binding to a variety of translation/initiation factors, including eukaryotic initiation factor 4B in a stoichiometric manner. Cells lacking 14-3-3sigma, in marked contrast to normal cells, cannot suppress cap-dependent translation and do not stimulate cap-independent translation during and immediately after mitosis. This defective switch in the mechanism of translation results in reduced mitotic-specific expression of the endogenous internal ribosomal entry site (IRES)-dependent form of the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk11 (p58 PITSLRE), leading to impaired cytokinesis, loss of Polo-like kinase-1 at the midbody, and the accumulation of binucleate cells. The aberrant mitotic phenotype of 14-3-3sigma-depleted cells can be rescued by forced expression of p58 PITSLRE or by extinguishing cap-dependent translation and increasing cap-independent translation during mitosis by using rapamycin. Our findings show how aberrant mitotic translation in the absence of 14-3-3sigma impairs mitotic exit to generate binucleate cells and provides a potential explanation of how 14-3-3sigma-deficient cells may progress on the path to aneuploidy and tumorigenesis.     

体质量对中华鳖(Pelodiscus sinensis)生化组成和质量能的影响

分别测定了在实验室条件下养殖的23只稚鳖(终末体质量为15.7～46.4 g)和38只幼鳖(终末体质量为57.5～283.7 g)鳖体的生化组成和质量能.结果表明:随着稚鳖、幼鳖体质量的增加,稚鳖和幼鳖鳖体的蛋白质、脂肪的质量分数和质量能均升高,而水分则随之降低(P＜0.01).稚鳖鳖体的灰分质量分数与体质量相关关系不明显(P＞0.05),而幼鳖的灰分质量分数随体质量增加而降低(P＜0.05).实验证实,以体质量为自变量来预测中华鳖稚鳖和幼鳖的蛋白质、脂肪的质量分数和质量能的方法是简单、可行的.