Preliminary Study on Water Physiological Characters of Male and Female Ginkgo biloba L.

[Objective] The experiment aimed to study the difference of water physiology of male and female Ginkgo biloba L. for discussing the strategy of water utilization as well as the important role of this difference during evolution process. [Method] The stem sap flow, stomatal conductance(Gs), transpiration rate(Tr) and water use efficiency (WUE) of male and female Ginkgo biloba L. were comparatively studied. [Result] The day-night processes of flow on male and female Ginkgo biloba L. were similar. The flow on male and female Ginkgo biloba L. in day were almost same while the flow at night on male Ginkgo biloba L. was bigger than that on female Ginkgo biloba L. The Tr and Gs of male and female Ginkgo biloba L. were high in morning and at night but low at noon ,while Tr and Gs of female Ginkgo biloba L. in morning and at night were higher than these of male Ginkgo biloba L. at the same time point. However, these indexes of female plant were lower than these of male plant from 11:00 to 14:00. WUE changing trends of male and female Ginkgo biloba L. were similar, while average water utilization rate of female Ginkgo biloba L. was slightly lower than that of male Ginkgo biloba L. [Conclusion] Compared with other companion plants, water physiology of male and female Ginkgo biloba L. had strong homoplasy. The phenomenon might be a survival strategy of dioecious plants under long term evolutionary pressure.

Effects of Different Row Ratios of Male and Female Parents and Application Amount of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Hybrid Wheat Seed Production and Its Component Factors

In order to screen suitable high hybrid wheat seed production technology,the split-plot experiment design was adopted and study was carried out about the effects of the different row ratios of male and female parents and application amount of nitrogen fertilizer on hybrid wheat seed production and its component factors. The results showed that the seed production increased with the increase in the number of female parent row. When the row ratio of male and female parents was 2 ∶ 6,the seed production was 3 683. 8 kg/ha; when the application amount of nitrogen fertilization was 50 kg/ha,the seed production was 3 649. 4 kg/ha; the interaction between the row ratio of male and female parents and the application amount of nitrogen fertilizer indicated that when the row ratio of male and female parents was 2∶ 6 and the application amount of nitrogen fertilizer was 300 kg/ha,the seed production reached the highest( 4160. 6 kg/ha). The row ratio of male and female parents and application amount of nitrogen fertilizer had significant effect on the component factors of seed production,including the number of grains per spike,spike weight and setting percentage. When the row ratio of male and female parents was 2∶ 5,the number of grains per spike,spike weight and setting percentage were the highest at 26. 7 grains,1. 12 g,and 62. 6% respectively; when application amount of nitrogen fertilizer was 450 kg/ha,the number of grains per spike,spike weight and setting percentage were the highest at 26. 0 grains,1. 08 g,and59. 2% respectively; the interaction of row ratio of male and female parents and application amount of nitrogen fertilizer had significant effect on the number of grains per spike,spike weight and setting percentage; when the row ratio of male and female parents was 2∶ 5 and the application amount of nitrogen fertilizer was 300 kg/ha,the number of grains per spike,spike weight and setting percentage were the highest at 29. 6grains,1. 24 g,and 71. 6% respectively. The number of grains per spike is the largest component factor for seed production. Increasing the number of grains per spike can increase the seed production. According to the effects of row ratio of male and female parents and application amount of nitrogen fertilizer on the component factors of seed production,the optimal condition was 2∶ 5-2∶ 6 for row ratio of male and female parents and 300-450 kg/ha for application amount of nitrogen fertilizer.

A reciprocal inhibition between ARID1 and MET1 in male and female gametes in Arabidopsis

Both female and male gametophytes harbor companion cells and gametes. MET1, a DNA methyltransferase, is down-regulated in companion cells. However, how MET1 is differentially regulated in gametophytes remains unexplored. ARID1, a transcription factor that is specifically depleted in sperm cells, is occupied by MET1- dependent CG methylation. Here, we show that MET1 confines ARID1 to the vegetative cell of male gametes, but ARID1 conversely represses MET1 in the central cell of female gametes. Compared to the vegetative celllocalization in wild type pollen, ARID1 expands to sperm cells in the met1 mutant. To understand whether MET1- dependent ARID1 inhibition exists during female gametogenesis, we first show that ARID1 is expressed in the megaspore mother cell （MMC）, ARID1 but not MET1 is detectable in the central cell at maturity. Interestingly, compared to the absence of MET1 in the central cell and the egg cell of wild type ovules, MET1 significantly accumulates in these two cells in aridl ovules. Lastly, we show that both ARIDI and METI are required for the cell specification of MMC. Collectively, our results uncover a reciprocal dependence between ARIDI and METI, and provide a clue to further understand how the specification of MMC is likely regulated by DNA methylation.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of Patched 1 gene in the half-smooth tongue sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis)

The signaling molecule hedgehog（Hh） is essential for cellular signaling required for body pattern formation in embryonic and individual development in vertebrate and invertebrates.Patched 1（Ptc1）,a receptor of Hh,mediates the activity of Hh by binging the Hh ligands.In this study,the Ptc1 of half-smooth tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis（CsPtc1） was cloned and characterized.The full-length of CsPtc1 cDNA is 5 212 nucleotides（nt）,and encodes a protein with 1 543 amino acid residues.CsPtc1 shared many features with Ptc1 of other telesot species.Real-time quantitative PCR revealed CsPtc1 mRNA expressed in brain,liver,heart,gill,intestines,spleen,gonad and kidney,with expression level in testis significantly higher than in ovary.In testis,hybridization signals were mainly detected in primary spermatocytes,secondary spermatocytes,and sertoli cells,while weak signals were found in oocytes.Correspondingly,the degree of methylation is higher in female than in male and pseudomale.Results indicate that CsPtc1 may be involved in Desert Hedgehog（DHH） maintenance of the male and pseudo-male germ line and spermatogenesis.

Gender,Language Learning Style and Strategies:EFL and ESL Students

To gain an insight into language learners’ learning styles and their pedagogical application in language teaching,this pa-per mainly discusses male and female learners’ different language learning styles and strategies,and the pedagogical application ofthis knowledge in EFL/ESL teaching.It is found that the language learning styles which are preferred by male learners are visual,tactile,kinesthetic,take risks,speak up,ask the question,be logical in learning,while learning styles such as auditory,reading,well-organized written work,self-motivation,persistence,responsibility,sensitive to social context are popular among female learn-ers.Although there are also limitations in these findings due to the small size of sample participants and the diversity among na-tions,it surely provides some references for EFL/ESL instructors in their language teaching.

Epidemiology of Sexual dysfunction in Asia compared to the rest of the world

There have been a limited number of epidemiological studies published on sexual disorders in persons from Asia. This paper aims to assess the reports of sexual dysfunction epidemiological studies published in the English language that involved Asian countries. Key points are summarized in this paper from nine epidemiological papers on sexual dysfunction from Asia that were published in the English language. Seven met the criteria for evidence-based studies reaching a Prins score of at least 10 or more. Papers included in this report came from national and regional representative studies in peer review journals. These results for sexual dysfunction in the nine papers are summarized for various sexual dysfunctions in men and women in Asian countries. In three of these, worldwide data were presented in the same paper allowing comparisons with Asian data on prevalence rates. Detailed descriptions from each of these studies are presented in paragraph form. More detailed data on erectile dysfunction （ED） is presented in a tabular form. Collectively, there seems to be a need for country- and population-specific further descriptive and analytical epidemiological studies in all of the sexual disorders from Asia. This critical review paper should help guide these studies for reachinj[ evidence-based literature standards.

The Role of Gender Affecting Second Language Acquisition

In the development of English teaching,various factors are influencing the teaching effect,in this article,the concept:gender difference as an obvious factor affecting Second Language Acquisition.It is common applied in the current class teaching of all kinds of schools in China.

Determination on Blood Physiological Parameters of Apodemus agrarius

The study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of blood physiological parameters of Apodemus agrarius （A. agrarius）. Blood physiological pa- rammers of 10 A. agrarius （half male and half female） were determined by automated hematology analyzer. Results showed that difference of A. agrarius hematokrit （HCT） between male and female was significant （P 〈 0.05 ）, and differences of all the other blood physiological parameters between male and female were not sig- nificant （ P 〉 0.05 ）. In the study, blood physiological reference value of A. agrarius was set up, which provided a basis for the bio-research and prophylaxis and treatment of A. agrarius.

The function of floral orientation in bluebells:interactions with pollinators and rain in two species of Mertensia(Boraginaceae)

Aims Pollinators are traditionally considered to be the primary agent of selection on floral traits.However,floral traits may also be under selection from abiotic agents(e.g.rain),which makes considering the relative importance of pollinators and abiotic selective agents on floral traits essential.The functional significance of floral orien-tation is often ascribed to pollinator attraction,but orientation can also protect reproductive structures from rain.Therefore,a study that incorporates both factors will enhance our understanding of the ecological roles of floral orientation in plant fitness.Mertensia brevistyla and M.fusiformis are herbaceous species that differ in their floral orientations.A series of field and laboratory experi-ments was used to investigate the adaptive function of floral orien-tation in these species,particularly with respect to pollinators and rain.Methods We measured and compared floral orientation and visitor assem-blages between M.brevistyla and M.fusiformis populations in west-ern Colorado,USA.We manipulated floral stems and conducted a choice experiment with floral visitors,and also compared orienta-tions of pollinator-visited stems with those of unvisited stems in a natural setting.We examined pollinator-and rain-mediated selec-tion on floral orientation by manipulating orientation,conducting supplemental pollinations,applying watering treatments and meas-uring subsequent seed set.We also experimentally tested the like-lihood of rain contact with anthers,and the effect of rainwater on pollen germinability.Important Findings Mertensia brevistyla had a significantly more upright floral orienta-tion than M.fusiformis,and seed set was highest in upright M.bre-vistyla and in horizontal/pendant M.fusiformis stems,supporting an adaptive function(via female fitness)of the interspecific difference in orientation.However,floral visitor assemblages did not differ significantly between the two species;visitors did not exhibit sig-nificant preference for either orientation;and pollinator-mediated selection on orientation was undetectable.Similarly,there was lit-tle effect of water on seed set in either species,regardless of floral orientation.However,pollen germinability was reduced in both species by immersion in water;and water was more likely to contact anthers in M.fusiformis than in M.brevistyla,due to interspecific differences in floral morphology.We conclude that pollinators are likely not the primary selective agent driving differences in orienta-tion in these Mertensia species.Instead,the negative effect of rain on pollen germinability helps explain the more pendant orientation of M.fusiformis,while short anthers in more upright M.brevistyla provide an alternative adaptation to rain.The selective agent driving effects of orientation on seed set remains unclear.This study illus-trates the necessity of considering male fitness and abiotic agents in interpreting the functional significance of inflorescence traits.