A method for interval 0–1 nonlinear programming problem using a genetic algorithm

In this paper, we formulate an optimal design problem of system reliability as a nonlinear integer programming problem with interval coefficients, transform it into a bicriteria 0–1 nonlinear programming problem without interval coefficients, and solve it directly using GA with holding nonlinear objective functions. Also, we demonstrate the efficiency of this method with a numerical example.     

Electron-Doping Mottronics in Strongly Correlated Perovskite

The discovery of hydrogen-induced electron localization and highly insulating states in d-band electron correlated perovskites has opened a new paradigm for exploring novel electronic phases of condensed matters and applications in emerging field-controlled electronic devices (e.g., Mottronics). Although a significant understanding of doping-tuned transport properties of single crystalline correlated materials exists, it has remained unclear how doping-controlled transport properties behave in the presence of planar defects. The discovery of an unexpected high-concentration doping effect in defective regions is reported for correlated nickelates. It enables electronic conductance by tuning the Fermi-level in Mott–Hubbard band and shaping the lower Hubbard band state into a partially filled configuration. Interface engineering and grain boundary designs are performed for H_xSmNiO₃/SrRuO₃ heterostructures, and a Mottronic device is achieved. The interfacial aggregation of hydrogen is controlled and quantified to establish its correlation with the electrical transport properties. The chemical bonding between the incorporated hydrogen with defective SmNiO₃ is further analyzed by the positron annihilation spectroscopy. The present work unveils new materials physics in correlated materials and suggests novel doping strategies for developing Mottronic and iontronic devices via hydrogen-doping-controlled orbital occupancy in perovskite heterostructures.     

Immunostimulatory effects of water extract from bulbus arteriosus in tuna in vitro

Immunostimulating effects of water extract from bulbus arteriosus in tuna were examined and found to enhance IgM production by human hybridoma HB4C5 cells. When tuna bulbus arteriosus extract was heated, the IgM production-stimulating activity was decreased or lost. To identify the active substance, the extract was partially purified by anion-exchange chromatography, and proteins contained in positive fractions were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The positive fractions contained lactate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase, enolase, and haemoglobin. Each of these four proteins was verified to enhance IgM production by HB4C5 cells with the commercially available purified proteins, suggesting that all of these four proteins are active substances in the extract. The immunostimulatory effect of these proteins was also examined on mouse primary spleen lymphocytes in vitro. Lactate dehydrogenase enhanced IgA, IgG, and IgM production and triosephosphate isomerase enhanced IgA and IgG production. In particular, lactate dehydrogenase had the strongest Ig production-stimulating effect on HB4C5 cells and on mouse primary lymphocytes. Thus, fish viscera may serve as an important raw material for the enhancement of the acquired immune system, once processed.     

Sodium Dodecylsulphate Electrophoretic Demonstration of Selective Adsorption of Gelatin Polypeptides on Silver Halide Particles-A Qualitative Examination

The gelatin fraction adsorbed on silver iodobromide particles was recovered by dissolution of the particles with sodium thiosulphate. The sodium dodecylsulphate, SDS, electrophoretic pattern of the recovered fraction was clearly different from that of the original gelatin. This is a direct indication of selective adsorption. Extraction of the adsorbed gelatin from the particles was examined with several reagents. Among them, the SDS extract gave a similar electrophoretic pattern to that of the fixation-recovered fraction. Electrophoretic patterns of SDS-extracted fractions from AgCl, AgBr and Agl particles indicate that the absorptions by these silver halides are selective and selectivity by each silver halide is different.     

Involvement of β-Alkylation Machinery and Two Sets of Ketosynthase-Chain-Length Factors in the Biosynthesis of Fogacin Polyketides in Actinoplanes missouriensis

Fogacin and two novel fogacin derivatives, fogacins B and C, were isolated from the rare actinomycete Actinoplanes missouriensis. Biosynthesis of fogacin C apparently requires β alkylation of a polyketide chain. The fogacin biosynthetic type II polyketide synthase (PKS) gene cluster contains a hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase (HCS) cassette, which is usually responsible for β alkylation in the type I PKS system. Another characteristic of the fog cluster is that it encodes two sets of ketosynthase (KS) and chain-length factor (CLF). Inactivation of either of the two KS genes in A. missouriensis and heterologous expression of the HCS cassette with either of the two KS-CLF genes in Streptomyces albus indicated that each KS-CLF had a different starter substrate specificity: one preferred an unusual β-alkylated starter and the other preferred a normal acetyl starter. This study expands knowledge of HCS cassette-dependent β alkylation into the type II PKS system and provides a natural example of combinatorial biosynthesis for producing diverse polyketides from different starter substrates.     

Structure and Reactions of an Isolable Ge=Si Doubly Bonded Compound,Tetra(<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>-butyldimethylsilyl)germasilene

Tetra(t-butyldimethylsilyl)germasilene (8b) was synthesized using di(t-butyldimethylsilyl)hydridogermyllithium prepared by the germa-metallation of the corresponding dihydridogermane. Tetrasilylgermasilene 8b was obtained as single crystals by recrystallization from hexane at rt. The molecular structure of 8b is similar to those of the corresponding disilene 8a and digermene 8c but with an intermediate unsaturated bond length and twist angle between those of 8a and 8c. The reactions of 8b with methanol and 2,3-dimethylbutadiene gave the corresponding adducts. Equilibrium between 8b and the corresponding (trisilylsilyl)(silyl)germylene is suggested by the reaction of 8b with triethylsilane giving the germylene insertion product into the Si–H bond.     

Genetically encoded optical probe for detecting release of proteins from mitochondria toward cytosol in living cells and mammals

We developed a genetically encoded bioluminescence indicator for monitoring the release of proteins from the mitochondria in living cells. The principle of this method is based on reconstitution of split Renilla reniformis luciferase (Rluc) fragments by protein splicing with an Ssp DnaE intein. A target mitochondrial protein connected with an N-terminal fragment of Rluc and an N-terminal fragment of DnaE is expressed in mammalian cells. If the target protein is released from the mitochondria toward the cytosol upon stimulation with a specific chemical, the N-terminal Rluc meets the C-terminal Rluc connected with C-terminal DnaE in the cytosol, and thereby, the full-length Rluc is reconstituted by protein splicing. The extent of release of the target fusion protein is evaluated by measuring activities of the reconstituted Rluc. To test the feasibility of this method, here we monitored the release of Smac/DIABLO protein from mitochondria during apoptosis in living cells and mice. The present method allowed high-throughput screening of an apoptosis-inducing reagent, staurosporine, and imaging of the Smac/DIABLO release in cells and in living mice. This rapid analysis can be used for screening and assaying chemicals that would increase or inhibit the release of mitochondrial proteins in living cells and animals.     

Polymethylthiophene/Nafion-modified glassy carbon electrode for selective detection of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid

The possible use of an electrode modified with electroactive conductive poly(3-methylthiophene) (PMeT)/Nafion as a chemical sensor was investigated for the voltammetric analysis of Dopamine (DA). The electrochemical behavior of dopamine was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. By using a PMeT-modified glassy carbon (GC/PMeT) electrode, DA and Ascorbic Acid (AA) signals could be separated but the AA at high concentrations still caused significant interference by overlapping the DA peak. In comparison to the GC/PMeT electrode, the glassy carbon (GC/Nafion/PMeT) electrode modified with hybrid film Nafion/PMeT was found to permit a superior separation by shifting the oxidation of AA peak toward the less positive potential. The DPV curves for a mixture of DA and AA at an GC/Nafion/PMeT electrode in a 0.1 M H₂SO₄ solution showed peaks of DA and AA, at 0.45 and 0.21 V, respectively, indicating that the difference in the oxidation potential was 240 mV. In the 0.1 M H₂SO₄ solution, the oxidation peak current on the differential pulse voltammograms for the GC/PMeT electrode increased linearly with the concentration of DA in the range 1 × 10⁻⁶ to 1 × 10⁻³ M, and the oxidation peak current on the differential pulse voltammograms for the GC/Nafion/PMeT electrode in the range 5 × 10⁻⁷ to 2 × 10⁻⁴ M. The DA detection sensitivity of the GC/Nafion/PMeT electrode (26.7 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻²) was 22 times higher than that of the GC/PMeT electrode (1.21 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻²).