The Special Expression and Comparison of the c-kit Protein in Spermatogenesis of Three Species of Locusts of Arcypteridae

The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression and regulation of the c.kit protein in spermatogenesis of locusts. Immunohistochemistry and biological statistics were used to investigate the expression of the c-kit protein in four representative phases of spermatogenesis of three dominant species of locusts of Arcypteridae （Orthoptera： Acridoidea）, namely, Omocestus viridulus （Linnaeus）, Euchorthippus unicolor （Ikonn.）, and Euchorthippus vittatus Zheng, and so on, in Siping area of Jilin Province, China. The results revealed the following： （1） There was weak positive expression of the c-kit protein in spermatogonia and the positive granules were thinner; （2） there was a strong positive expression of the c-kit protein in primary spermatocyte and the positive granules became the largest than in all developmental stages; （3） the c-kit protein positive expression became stronger in secondary spermatocyte, while the positive granules became thinner; （4） there was strong positive expression of the c-kit protein and the positive granules were thinner in mature sperm, which were distributed on its head and tail; （5） there were strong positive protein granules massing at the end of spermary; （6） the positive intensity of the c-kit protein in spermatogenesis was significantly different among different species of locusts. The data suggested that the c-kit protein may play a crucial role in spermatogenesis as well as maintain the physiological action of sperms and fertilization, regulate the developmental speed of spermatogenesis, and/or maintain species isolation, etc.

Are University Rankings Statistically Significant?A Comparison among Chinese Universities and with the USA

Purpose:Building on Leydesdorff,Bornmann,and Mingers(2019),we elaborate the differences between Tsinghua and Zhejiang University as an empirical example.We address the question of whether differences are statistically significant in the rankings of Chinese universities.We propose methods for measuring statistical significance among different universities within or among countries.Design/methodology/approach:Based on z-testing and overlapping confidence intervals,and using data about 205 Chinese universities included in the Leiden Rankings 2020,we argue that three main groups of Chinese research universities can be distinguished(low,middle,and high).Findings:When the sample of 205 Chinese universities is merged with the 197 US universities included in Leiden Rankings 2020,the results similarly indicate three main groups:low,middle,and high.Using this data(Leiden Rankings and Web of Science),the z-scores of the Chinese universities are significantly below those of the US universities albeit with some overlap.Research limitations:We show empirically that differences in ranking may be due to changes in the data,the models,or the modeling effects on the data.The scientometric groupings are not always stable when we use different methods.Practical implications:Differences among universities can be tested for their statistical significance.The statistics relativize the values of decimals in the rankings.One can operate with a scheme of low/middle/high in policy debates and leave the more fine-grained rankings of individual universities to operational management and local settings.Originality/value:In the discussion about the rankings of universities,the question of whether differences are statistically significant,has,in our opinion,insufficiently been addressed in research evaluations.

Assessing the incidence of common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris L.)infection by fungi during harvest and storage in Cameroon

In most parts of Cameroon particularly the Menoua Division,common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris L.)is usually consumed immediately after harvest or after a few months of storage.Contamination of common bean by fungi usually occurs in the field and during storage.It is possible that the incidence of food contamination by fungi varies between field and storage.The study aimed at determining the incidence of common bean infection by fungi during harvest and during storage.Six common bean cultivars both during harvest and storage were evaluated.Analysis of variance showed no significant difference(P˃0.05)between their incidences of infection by fungi during harvest.The incidence of common bean infection during storage was shown to differ significantly between each cultivar(P≤0.05).A comparison of the mean incidence level of infection by fungi in the two groups of bean cultivars(cultivars during harvest and cultivars during storage)using the independent t-test analysis revealed a significant difference between their mean incidence of infection.The findings conclude that the incidence of common bean infection by fungi during storage is higher than during harvest in the Menoua Division.These findings will help to sensitise farmers on the improvement of bean storage conditions.

Design,synthesis and bioassay of the emerging photo-responsive fungicides

Precise and spatiotemporal control over the pesticide remains to be a challenge.More efficient controlled release systems(CRSs)have been developed to support the precise delivery of active ingredients.Herein,we incorporated the photoremovable protecting groups(PRPGs)into phenamacril(PHE)and obtained two photo-responsive fungicides of NV-PHE and DEACM-PHE.The 4,5-dimethoxy-o-nitrobenzyl(NV)or 7-diethylaminocoumarin(DEACM)-caged PHE could release the active molecule PHE after irradiation of UV light and blue light,respectively.Optical properties and in-vitro/vivo fungicidal activities of NV-PHE and DEACM-PHE demonstrated the feasibility for light controlled release of PHE.DEACM-PHE could release 98%PHE by illumination of blue light.The irradiated DEACM-PHE could preserve the similar bioactivity of PHE,and significantly improve the in-vitro/vivo fungicidal activities compared to the non-irradiated DEACM-PHE.The optical controlled release of PHE from DEACM-PHE enabled the precise and spatiotemporal delivery of PHE,diversifying the development of CRSs for pesticide,and providing environmentfriendly agricultural applications with high pesticide efficiency.