Modified Preconditioned GAOR Methods for Systems of Linear Equations

Three kinds of preconditioners are proposed to accelerate the generalized AOR (GAOR) method for the linear system from the generalized least squares problem. The convergence and comparison results are obtained. The comparison results show that the convergence rate of the preconditioned generalized AOR (PGAOR) methods is better than that of the original GAOR methods. Finally, some numerical results are reported to confirm the validity of the proposed methods

Spectral Properties of the Iteration Matrix of the HSS Method for Saddle Point Problem

We discuss spectral properties of the iteration matrix of the HSS method for saddle point problems and derive estimates for the region containing both the nonreal and real eigenvalues of the iteration matrix of the HSS method for saddle point problems

Comparison Theorems for Single and Double Splittings of Matrices

Some comparison theorems for the spectral radius of double splittings of different matrices under suitable conditions are presented, which are superior to the corresponding results in the recent paper by Miao and Zheng (2009). Some comparison theorems between the spectral radius of single and double splittings of matrices are established and are applied to the Jacobi and Gauss-Seidel double SOR method

(E)-Methyl 3-(3,4-dihy­droxy­phen­yl)acrylate

The benzene ring in the title compound, C10H10O4, makes an angle of 4.4 (1)° with the C—C—C—O linker. The hy­droxy groups are involved in both intra- and inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal packing is stabilized by O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions. The mol­ecules of the caffeic acid ester form a dimeric structure in a head-to-head manner along the a axis through O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The dimers inter­act with one another through O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming supermolecular chains. These chains are further extended through C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds as well as van der Waals inter­actions into the final three-dimensional architecture

A novel genetic map of wheat: utility for mapping QTL for yield under different nitrogen treatments

BACKGROUND: Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important food crops worldwide. Wheat varieties that maintain yield (YD) under moderate or even intense nitrogen (N) deficiency can adapt to low input management systems. A detailed genetic map is necessary for both wheat molecular breeding and genomics research. In this study, an F(6:7) recombinant inbred line population comprising 188 lines was used to construct a novel genetic map and subsequently to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for YD and response to N stress. RESULTS: A genetic map consisting of 591 loci distributed across 21 wheat chromosomes was constructed. The map spanned 3930.7 cM, with one marker per 6.7 cM on average. Genomic simple sequence repeat (g-SSR), expressed sequence tag-derived microsatellite (e-SSR), diversity arrays technology (DArT), sequence-tagged sites (STS), sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers were included in the map. The linear relationships between loci found in the present map and in previously compiled physical maps were presented, which were generally in accordance. Information on the genetic and physical positions and allele sizes (when possible) of 17 DArT, 50 e-SSR, 44 SRAP, five ISSR, and two morphological markers is reported here for the first time. Seven segregation distortion regions (SDR) were identified on chromosomes 1B, 3BL, 4AL, 6AS, 6AL, 6BL, and 7B. A total of 22 and 12 QTLs for YD and yield difference between the value (YDDV) under HN and the value under LN were identified, respectively. Of these, QYd-4B-2 and QYddv-4B, two major stable QTL, shared support interval with alleles from KN9204 increasing YD in LN and decreasing YDDV. We probe into the use of these QTLs in wheat breeding programs. Moreover, factors affecting the SDR and total map length are discussed in depth. CONCLUSIONS: This novel map may facilitate the use of novel markers in wheat molecular breeding programs and genomics research. Moreover, QTLs for YD and YDDV provide useful markers for wheat molecular breeding programs designed to increase yield potential under N stress

Peritumoral administration of DRibbles-pulsed antigen-presenting cells enhances the antitumor efficacy of anti-GITR and anti-PD-1 antibodies via an antigen presenting independent mechanism.

BACKGROUND: TNF receptor family agonists and checkpoint blockade combination therapies lead to minimal tumor clearance of poorly immunogenic tumors. Therefore, a need to enhance the efficacy of this combination therapy arises. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) present antigen to T cells and steer the immune response through chemokine and cytokine secretion. DRibbles (DR) are tumor-derived autophagosomes containing tumor antigens and innate inflammatory adjuvants. METHODS: Using preclinical murine lung and pancreatic cancer models, we assessed the triple combination therapy of GITR agonist and PD-1 blocking antibodies with peritumoral injections of DRibbles-pulsed-bone marrow cells (BMCs), which consisted mainly of APCs, or CD103+ cross-presenting dendritic cells (DCs). Immune responses were assessed by flow cytometry. FTY720 was used to prevent T-cell egress from lymph nodes to assess lymph node involvement, and MHC-mismatched-BMCs were used to assess the necessity of antigen presentation by the peritumorally-injected DR-APCs. RESULTS: Tritherapy increased survival and cures in tumor-bearing mice compared to combined antibody therapy or peritumoral DR-BMCs alone. Peritumorally-injected BMCs remained within the tumor for at least 14 days and tritherapy efficacy was dependent on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Although the overall percent of tumor-infiltrating T cells remained similar, tritherapy increased the ratio of effector CD4+ T cells-to-regulatory T cells, CD4+ T-cell cytokine production and proliferation, and CD8+ T-cell cytolytic activity in the tumor. Despite tritherapy-induced T-cell activation and cytolytic activity in lymph nodes, this T-cell activation was not required for tumor regression and enhanced survival. Replacement of DR-BMCs with DR-pulsed-DCs in the tritherapy led to similar antitumor effects, whereas replacement with DRibbles was less effective but delayed tumor growth. Interestingly, peritumoral administration of DR-pulsed MHC-mismatched-APCs in the tritherapy led to similar antitumor effects as MHC-matched-APCs, indicating that the observed enhanced antitumor effect was mediated independently of antigen presentation by the administered APCs. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these results demonstrate that peritumoral DR-pulsed-BMC/DC administration synergizes with GITR agonist and PD-1 blockade to locally modulate and sustain tumor effector T-cell responses independently of T cell priming and perhaps through innate inflammatory modulations mediated by the DRibbles adjuvant. We offer a unique approach to modify the tumor microenvironment to benefit T-cell-targeted immunotherapies

A comparison of acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis of rutin

Rutin and its hydrolysis products (isoquercitrin and quercetin) are widely used as important materials in food and pharmaceutical industry. In this study, the effects of various acids and enzymes as catalysts on the hydrolysis reaction of rutin were studied. In comparison with acidic and enzymatic catalysis of rutin, the research results indicated that there was a sharp difference in the selectivity of hydrolysis product between the methods. When 2.5% H3PO4, 1% HCl and 0.5% H2SO4 were used as catalysts, transformation yields of isoquercitin hydrolyzed from rutin were 9.60, 0.69 and 1.25%, but those of quercetin were 11.13, 100 and 2.57%, respectively. When hesperidinase, snailase and cellulase-T2440 were used as catalysts, transformation yields of isoquercitin hydrolyzed from rutin were 43.21, 3.07 and 0.00%, but those of quercetin were 58.10, 96.39 and 30.89%, respectively. In conclusion, the aglycon of rutin was deglycosolated easily under mild acidic hydrolysis conditions at appropriate temperatures, but its secondary glucoside was difficult to be obtained. Contrarily, the prepared isoquercitrin by enzymatic hydrolysis of rutin was preferable to the acidic hydrolysis, especially for hesperidinase.Key words: Rutin, isoquercitrin, quercetin, hydrolysis, acid, enzym

LC/MS Guided Isolation of Alkaloids from Lotus Leaves by pH-Zone-Refining Counter-Current Chromatography

The traditional methods used in natural product separation primarily target the major components and the minor components may thus be lost during the separation procedure. Consequently, it’s necessary to develop efficient methods for the preparative separation and purification of relatively minor bioactive components. In this paper, a LC/MS method was applied to guide the separation of crude extract of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) leaves whereby a minor component was identified in the LC/MS analysis. Afterwards, an optimized pH-zone-refining CCC method was performed to isolate this product, identified as N-demethylarmepavine. The separation procedure was carried out with a biphasic solvent system composed of hexane-ethyl acetate-methyl alcohol-water (1:6:1:6, v/v) with triethylamine (10 mM) added to the upper organic phase as a retainer and hydrochloric acid (5 mM) to the aqueous mobile phase eluent. Two structurally similar compounds – nuciferine and roemerine – were also obtained from the crude lotus leaves extract. In total 500 mg of crude extract furnished 7.4 mg of N-demethylarmepavine, 45.3 mg of nuciferine and 26.6 mg of roemerine with purities of 90%, 92% and 96%, respectively. Their structures were further identified by HPLC/ESI-MSn, FTICR/MS and the comparison with reference compounds

LiftUpp: Support to Develop Learner Performance

Various motivations exist to move away from the simple assessment of knowledge towards the more complex assessment and development of competence. However, to accommodate such a change, high demands are put on the supporting e-infrastructure in terms of intelligently collecting and analysing data. In this paper, we discuss these challenges and how they are being addressed by LiftUpp, a system that is now used in 70% of UK dental schools, and is finding wider applications in physiotherapy, medicine and veterinary science. We describe how data is collected for workplace-based development in dentistry using a dedicated iPad app, which enables an integrated approach to linking and assessing work flows, skills and learning outcomes. Furthermore, we detail how the various forms of collected data can be fused, visualized and integrated with conventional forms of assessment. This enables curriculum integration, improved real-time student feedback, support for administration, and informed instructional planning. Together these facets contribute to better support for the development of learners' competence in situated learning setting, as well as an improved experience. Finally, we discuss several directions for future research on intelligent teaching systems that are afforded by using the design present within LiftUpp.Comment: Short 4-page version to appear at AIED 201

Information loss in local dissipation environments

The sensitivity of entanglement to the thermal and squeezed reservoirs' parameters is investigated regarding entanglement decay and what is called sudden-death of entanglement, ESD, for a system of two qubit pairs. The dynamics of information is investigated by means of the information disturbance and exchange information. We show that for squeezed reservoir, we can keep both of the entanglement and information survival for a long time. The sudden death of information is seen in the case of thermal reservoir