Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of rice with the spider insecticidal gene conferring resistance to leaffolder and striped stem borer

Immature embryos of rice varieties "Xiushui11" and "Chunjiang 11" precultured for 4d were infected and transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA101/pExT7 (containing the spider insecticidal gene). The resistant cant were transferred onto the differentiation medium and plants were regenerated. The transformation frequency reached 56%-72% measured as numbers of Geneticin (G418)-resistant calli produced and 36%-60% measured as numbers of transgenic plants regenerated, respectively. PCR and Southern blot analysis of transgenic plants confirmed that the T-DNA had been integrated into the rice genome. Insect bioassays using T1 transgenic plants indicated that the mortality of the leaffolder (Cnaphalocrasis medinalis) after 7d of leaf feeding reached 38%-61% and the corrected mortality of the striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis) after 7d of leaf feeding reached 16%-75%. The insect bioassay results demonstrated that the transgenic plants expressing the spider insecticidal protein conferred enhanced resistance to these pests.

Transgenic japonica rice expressing the cry1C gene is resistant to striped stem borers in Northeast China

Rice production and quality are seriously affected by the lepidopteran pest,striped stem borer(SSB),in Northeast China.In this study,a synthetic cry1 C gene encoding Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)δ-endotoxin,which is toxic to lepidopteran pest,was transformed into a japonica rice variety(Jigeng 88)in Northeast China by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.Through molecular detection and the Basta resistance germination assay,a total of 16 single-copy homozygous transgenic lines were obtained from 126 independent transformants expressing cry1 C.Finally,four cry1 C-transgenic lines(JL16,JL23,JL41,and JL42)were selected by evaluation of the Cry1 C protein level,insect-resistance and agronomic traits.The cry1 C-transgenic lines had higher resistance to SSB and higher yield compared with non-transgenic(NT)control plants.T-DNA flanking sequence analysis of the transgenic line JL42 showed that the cry1 C gene was inserted into the intergenic region of chromosome 11,indicating that its insertion may not interfere with the genes near insertion site.In summary,this study developed four cry1 C-transgenic japonica rice lines with high insect resistance and high yield.They can be used as insect-resistant germplasm materials to overcome the problem of rice yield reduction caused by SSB and reduce the use of pesticides in Northeast China.

Genetic Analysis and Molecular Mapping of Novel White Striped Leaf Mutant Gene in Rice

A new white striped leaf mutant wsll was discovered from Nipponbare mutated by ethyl methanesulfonate. The mutant showed white striped leaves at the seedling stage and the leaves gradually turned green after the tillering stage. The chlorophyll content of wsll was significantly lower than that of wild-type during the fourth leaf stage, tillering stage and booting stage. The numbers of chloroplast, grana and grana lamella were reduced and the thylakoids were degenerated in wsll compared with wild type. Genetic analysis showed that the wsll was controlled by a single recessive gene. Molecular mapping of the wsll was performed using an F2 population derived from wsll/Nanjing 11. The wsll was finally mapped on the telomere region of chromosome 9 and positioned between simple sequence repeat markers RM23742 and RM23759 which are separated by approximately 486.5 kb. The results may facilitate map-based cloning of wsll and understanding of the molecular mechanism of the regulation of leaf-color by WSL1 in rice.

The role of leptin in striped hamsters subjected to food restriction and refeeding

Food restriction （FR） and refeeding （Re） have been suggested to impair body mass regulation and thereby making it easier to regain the lost weight and develop over-weight when FR ends. However, it is unclear if this is the case in small mammals showing seasonal forging behaviors. In the present study, energy budget, body fat and serum leptin level were measured in striped hamsters that were exposed to FR-Re. The effects of leptin on food intake, body fat and genes expressions of several hypothalamus neuropeptides were determined. Body mass, fat content and serum leptin level decreased during FR and then increased during Re. Leptin supplement significantly attenuated the increase in food intake during Re, decreased genes expressions of neuropepetide Y （NPY） and agouti-related protein （AgRP） of hypothalamus and leptin of white adipose tissue （WAT）. Hormone-sensitive lipase （HSL） gene expression of WAT increased in leptin-treated hamsters that were fed ad libitum, but decreased in FR-Re hamsters. This indicates that the adaptive regulation of WAT HSL gene expression may be involved in the mobilization of fat storage during Re, which partly contributes to the resistance to FR-Re-induced overweight. Leptin may be involved in the down regulations of hypothalamus orexigenic peptides gene expression and consequently plays a crucial role in controlling food intake when FR ends.

Reproductive Biology of the Striped Seabream Lithognathus mormyrus （Linnaeus, 1758） from AI-Haneah Fishing Site, Mediterranean Sea, Eastern Libya

Reproductive biology of L. mormyrus was studied using monthly samples totaling 224 fish obtained from AI-Haneah fishing site, eastern Libya Mediterranean Sea. Lengths of the examined fish ranged between 11.5 cm and 23.4 cm. Corresponding weights were 24.5 g and 160.8 g. The minimum values of the condition factors, KF and Kc, were 1.38 and 1.21 at the average fish length of 12.4 cm. These values increased with increases in length until they reached maximum values of 1.59 and 1.41 at the length of 22.1 cm. The high values of KF and Kc, Gonado-Somatic Index and oocyte diameter maintained during May, June, July, and August and the monthly changes in gonadal condition, indicated that summer was the breeding season of L. mormyrus. The oocyte diameter ranged between 379± 25.3 μ and 1,511 ± 143.3μ （n = 76） with an average of 895 ± 111.3 μ. The sex ratio was in favor of females during all months of the study. The overall sex ratio was 1 ： 1.52. Length at first maturity, Ls0, for L. mormyrus was found to be 14.15 cm for males and 14.45 for females. Overall average of absolute fecundity was 4,342±557 egg per fish （n = 45）. The overall average of relative fecundity was 234± 181 egg per cm. Absolute fecundity increased with increasing fish length.

Noise-induced striped trajectories of Rossler systems

In this paper, the generation of striped trajectories in phase space by noise-injection is considered. With suitable amplitudes of noise, the steady-state system orbits appear in rectangular striped shape. The relationship between the shape （including the range and the number of stripes） and some parameters is discussed. The result shows that noise can also generate the striped shape effectively and simply, which is similar to the newly-discovered striped pattern generated by controlled Rossler systems.

Seasonal differential expression of KiSS-1/GPR54 in the striped hamsters(Cricetulus barabensis)among different tissues

Kisspeptins and G protein coupled receptor(GPR54)play significant roles in regulating reproductive activity among seasonally reproductive animals;however,the mechanisms of KiSS-1 and GPR54 gene affecting the seasonal reproduction in striped hamster are still unknown.In this study,real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to examine the expression profiles of KiSS-1 and GPR54 in the hypothalamus,ovaries,testes,uterus and epididymis of striped hamsters across 4 different seasons.Our results showed that,across different seasons,the KiSS-1 expression mode of male striped hamsters and the GPR54 expression mode of female striped hamsters were consistent with the seasonal photoperiod in the hypothalamus.Meanwhile,across different seasons,the expression profile of KiSS-1 in the testes and the GPR54 expression profile of male striped hamsters in the hypothalamus were consistent with the intensity of their seasonal reproductive activity.Among different tissues,the expression trend for GPR54 is consistent across 4 seasons,while that for KiSS-1 is tissue-dependent.The expression trend for GPR54 across 4 seasons is the same regardless of gender,while that for KiSS-1 is dramatically different and sex-dependent across different seasons.These results suggest that the expressions of KiSS-1 and GPR54 in the striped hamsters were regulated by complicated mechanisms,and the regulatory mechanisms in the striped hamsters are seasonal-dependent and sex-dependent.This research will provide a theoretical basis for studying how KiSS-1 and GPR54 affect seasonal reproduction and the mechanisms behind their influence.

Strategies of behavior,energetic and thermogenesis of striped hamsters in response to food deprivation

The life history of many animals includes periods of food shortage.Two behavioral strategies are involved in small mammals in response to food shortage:an increase in activity behavior,representing the increased foraging or migratory behavior,and a decrease in activity level,serving as a mechanism for conserving energy.However,it is uncertain whether animals adopt both strategies in response to food shortage,and whether hormone and neuroendocrine mechanisms are involved in both strategies.In the present study,changes in behavior and metabolic rate were examined in food-deprived striped hamsters(Cricetulus barabensis).The effects of leptin supplement on activity behavior,metabolic rate and hypothalamic neuropeptide gene expression were also examined.The behavior of food-deprived hamsters significantly changed with photoperiod phases:with increasing activity during the dark phase compared to those fed ad libitum,whereas decreasing activity and simultaneously increasing resting behavior during the light phase.Resting metabolic rate,body mass,and masses of fat depots and digestive tracts significantly decreased in food-deprived hamsters compared with ad libitum controls.Leptin supplement tended to attenuate the increased activity in the dark phase.Gene expression of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y(NPY)was significantly upregulated in food-deprived hamsters,while was significantly attenuated by exogenous leptin.These findings suggest that both behavior strategies are important behavioral adjustments in free-living animals to cope with food shortage.Leptin and hypothalamic NPY gene expression may be involved in the adjustments of physiology and behavior in animals demonstrating a hyperactivity strategy in response to food shortage.

Rice gene expression profiles responding to larval feeding of the striped stem borer at the 1st to 2nd instar stage

The objective of this study was to identify rice genes that are in response to the striped stem borer （SSB） （Chilo suppressalis Walker） feeding at the first to second larval stage. Using combined suppression subtractive hybridization （SSH） and dot blot approaches, we analyzed the induced defense genes that took place during the first 72 h of infesting intact rice （Oryza sativa L.） plants in sheath tissues with SSB larvae. By sequencing the whole SSH library, 39 expressed sequence tags involved in disease stress, insect stress or other stress responses were identified to be up-regulated by SSB larvae feeding. Among these genes, rice allene oxide cyclase （AOC）, terpene synthase （TPS） and four proteinase inhibitor （PI） genes were up-regulated by SSB larvae feeding. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that four rice PI genes were already up-regulated at 6 h, and reached peaks between 6 h to 12 h. In addition, the transcription ofgene involving in jasmonate signaling pathway such as allene oxide cyclase （AOC） concerning rice early defense response to SSB feeding was activated after rice feeding by SSB for 2 h. Although the expression office terpene synthase （TPS） gene, involved in the biosynthesis ofmonoterpenes or diterpenes, was already up-regulated at 7 h, a significant increase in the expression was delayed until 12 h and reached its peak at 24 h. The present study identified six SSB-response genes and their expression patterns, which provides evidence and information to understand insect stress-response in plants.

Quasi-freestanding, striped WS2 monolayer with an invariable band gap on Au（001）

Revealing the structural/electronic features and interfacial interactions of monolayer MoS2 and WS2 on metals is essential to evaluating the performance of related devices.In this study,we focused on the atomic-scale features of monolayer WS2 on Au（001） synthesized via chemical vapor deposition.Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy reveal that the WS2/Au（001） system exhibits a striped superstructure similar to that of MoS2/Au（001） but weaker interfacial interactions,as evidenced by experimental and theoretical investigations.Specifically,the WS2/Au（001） band gap exhibits a relatively intrinsic value of ～ 2.0 eV.However,the band gap can gradually decrease to ～ 1.5 eV when the sample annealing temperature increases from ～370 to 720 ℃.In addition,the doping level （or Fermi energy） of monolayer WS2/Au（001） varies little over the valley and ridge regions of the striped patterns because of the homogenous distributions of point defects introduced by annealing.Briefly,this work provides an in-depth investigation into the interfacial interactions and electronic properties of monolayer MX2 on metal substrates.

Social interactions in striped hyena inferred from camera trap data:is it more social than previously thought?

Understanding the drivers promoting sociality over solitariness in animal species is imperative for predicting future population trends and informing conservation and management.In this study we investigate the social structure of a desert dwelling population of striped hyena Hyaena hyaena.This species is historically regarded as strictly solitary albeit being the least studied of the extant Hyaenids.Accumulating evidence regarding the frequency of social interactions sug-gests a revision of striped hyena social structure is required.We hypothesized that striped hyena has a social structure that is more complex than expected for a strictly solitary species.For that end,we deployed an array of camera-traps in a remote desert region in Israel,and compared observed frequencies of striped hyena co-occurrence against null models to test whether hyena co-occurred more than expected by chance.Seven adults were(re)captured by our camera-traps in 49 different instances over 83 tracking days.Of these,6 exhibited shared space-use around a scarce,isolated perennial water source.Five of them,co-occurred with other hyena(in 3 instan-ces)significantly more frequent than expected by chance(and that timing suggests reproduction is unlikely to be the driving factor).Our findings substantiate evidence of complex social structure in striped hyena,highlight the importance of a scarce resource in space use and sociality,and provide a baseline for future research of striped hyena social structure.We suggest that similar methods be employed to evaluate social structure in other"solitary species"to better under-stand their social dynamics.

Temperature determines the shift of thermal neutral zone and influences thermogenic capacity in striped hamsters

The thermoneutral zone(TNZ)reflects the adaptation of mammals to their natural habitat.However,it remains unclear how TNZ shifts in response to variations in ambient temperature.To test the hypothesis that ambient temperature plays a key role in determining TNZ variations between seasons,we measured metabolic rate,body temperature,and cytochrome c oxidase(COX)activity of several visceral organs in striped hamsters(Cricetulus barabensis)either acclimated to semi-natural conditions over a year,or subjected to a gradual decrease in mean temperature from 30±1°C to-15±1°C.The TNZ range in striped hamsters differed seasonally,with a wider TNZ and a lower lower-critical temperature in winter compared to summer.The hamsters showed a consider-able leftward shift of lower-critical temperature from 30°C to 20°C after the ambient temperature of acclimation from 30°C down to-15°C,whereas the upper-critical temperature of TNZ remainedfixed at 32.5°C.The rest-ing metabolic rate in thermoneutral zone(RMRt),nonshivering thermogenesis(NST),and COX activity of brown adipose tissue,liver,skeletal muscle,brain,and kidneys,increased significantly in hamsters acclimated at lower ambient temperatures.Following acute exposure to 5°C and-15°C,hamsters acclimated to 32.5°C had signifi-cantly lower maximal NST and lower serum thyroid tri-iodothyronine(T3)levels compared to those kept at 23°C.Thesefindings suggest that acclimation to the upper-critical temperature of TNZ impairs the hamsters’thermo-genic capacity to cope with extreme cold temperature.Reduced ambient temperature was mainly responsible for the leftward shift of TNZ in striped hamsters,which reflects the adaptation to cold environments.

Stable striped state in a rotating two-dimensional spin–orbit coupled spin-1/2 Bose–Einstein condensate

We consider an effective two-dimensional Bose–Einstein condensate with some spin–orbit coupling(SOC) and a rotation term in an external harmonic potential. We find the striped state,and analyze the effects of SOC, the external potential, and the rotation frequency/direction on the profile and the stability of the striped state. Without the rotation term, the two spinor components exhibit striped pattern, and the numbers of stripes in the two components are always an odd–even or an even–odd. With the increase of the SOC strength, the number of stripes in both components increases, while the difference of the striped numbers is always one. After adding the rotation term, the profiles of the spinor components change qualitatively, and the change regulation of the striped numbers differs, while the difference of the striped numbers is still one. In addition, we find that the rotation direction only makes the striped state of the two spinor components exchange each other, though the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation directions are inequivalent with the presence of SOC. Such regulation is different from the previous study. And the rotation frequency gives rise to the transition from the striped state to a mixture of the striped state and vortex state. Furthermore, we prove the stability of these states by the evolution and linear stability analysis.

Behavioral and physiological responses of striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius) to predator odor

Predation risk is one of the most important selective forces in nature and has significant effects on the behavior and physiology of prey individuals.Prey species have evolved several different traits to reduce and avoid this predation pressure.This research aimed to determine the behavioral and physiological responses of striped field mice to predator risk.In the present study,we compared the agonistic behavior in male and female striped field mice(Apodemus agrarius Pallas,1771)of the same sexes under the odor derived from a male Himalayan weasel(Mustela sibirica).Dyads were subjected to 5 min staged encounters in neutral arenas once a week for 3 weeks during which agonistic and social behaviors were recorded and fecal hormone concentrations were determined using pre-column derivatization and high performance liquid chromatography methods.Furthermore,we also tested the effects of weasel odor on the adrenal glands.The results showed that:(i)male striped field mice did not exhibit any change in body weight and physiological characteristics but their aggressive behavior changed over time,and(ii)females responded to predation risk by significantly decreasing body mass and through increases in fecal cortisol levels and adrenal gland indices.These data show significant sex differences in the body weight,adrenal gland indices and fecal cortisol levels of striped field mouse under predation risk.

Experiments and Analyses on Heat Transfer Characteristics from a Solid Wall to a Strip-ShapedWick Structure

Centered or striped wick structures have been used to develop ultrathin heat pipes.Differing from traditional heat pipes,the centered or striped wick structures leave noncontact container surfaces with the wick structure.In this study,experiments andnumerical analyseswere conductedtoinvestigate the influenceof thesenoncontact surfaces.In the experiments,a strip-shaped wick structure was placed vertically,the top was sandwiched between wider rods and the bottom was immersed in a working fluid.The rod width was greater than the wick width;thus,noncontact surfaces were left between the rod and the wick structure.The heat was applied from the rod to the wick structure,and the evaporation heat transfer characteristics of the working fluid from the wick structure were evaluated.Water was used as the working fluid.The experiments were conducted by varying the rod and wick widths.The experimental results were obtained when the wick structures were placed separately.In the numerical analyses,the temperature and heat flux distributions in the rod were obtained.From the experimental and numerical results,it was confirmed that the noncontact surfaces caused the heat flux in the rod near both surfaces of the wick structure to concentrate,which increased the evaporation thermal resistance of the wick structure.A reduction in the noncontact surface area by increasing the wick width was found to be effective in decreasing the evaporation thermal resistance and increasing themaximumheat transfer rate of the wick structure.The separation of the wick structure increased the evaporation surface area.However,its effectiveness was limited when the heat transfer rate was small.

Mapping the antiparallel aligned domain rotation by microwave excitation

The evolution process of magnetic domains in response to external fields is crucial for the modern understanding and application of spintronics.In this study,we investigated the domain rotation in stripe domain films of varying thicknesses by examining their response to microwave excitation in four different orientations.The resonance spectra indicate that the rotation field of stripe domain film under an applied magnetic field approaches the field where the resonance mode of sample changes.The saturation field of the stripe domain film corresponds to the field where the resonance mode disappears when measured in the stripe direction parallel to the microwave magnetic field.The results are reproducible and consistent with micromagnetic simulations,providing additional approaches and techniques for comprehending the microscopic mechanisms of magnetic domains and characterizing their rotation.

Experimental study on temperature fluctuations on plate surface induced by coaxial-jet flow

In nuclear reactors,temperature fluctuations of fluids may cause fatigue damage to adjacent structures;this is referred to as thermal striping.Research on thermal striping in the upper plenum has mainly focused on fluid fields.Few experimental studies have been reported on solid structures in a fluid field with a coaxial jet.This study entailed an experimental study of the temperature fluctuations in the fluid and on a plate surface caused by a coaxial jet.The temperature fluctuations of the fluid and plate surfaces located at different heights were analyzed.The cause of the temperature fluctuation was analyzed using a transient temperature distribution.The results show that the mixing of the hot and cold fluids gradually becomes uniform in the positive axial direction.The average surface temperatures tended to be consistent.When the jet reaches the plate surface,the swing of the jet center,contraction and expansion of the cold jet,and changes in the jet shape result in temperature fluctuations.The intensity of the temperature fluctuation was affected by the position.More attention should be paid when the plate is located at a lower height,and between the hot and cold-fluid nozzles.

Yr5-virulent races of Puccinia striiformis f.sp.tritici possess relative parasitic fitness higher than current main predominant races and potential risk

Wheat stripe rust,caused by Puccinia striiformis f.sp.tritici(Pst),is one of the most destructive fungal diseases of wheat,and seriously threatens safe production of the crop worldwide.In China,new races historically appeared and rapidly developed to be predominant races and have resulted in ineffectiveness and replacement of wheat resistance cultivars as well as massive reduction in yield.In the present study,the relative parasitic fitness of the two newlyemerged Yr5-virulent races(TSA-6 and TSA-9)were compared with those of four currently predominant Chinese races(CYR31,CYR32,CYR33,and CYR34)based on evaluation on 10 Chinese wheat cultivars.As a result,there were significant differences in the relative parasitic fitness parameters among overall tested races based on multiple comparison(LSD)analysis(P<0.05).The principal component analysis(PCA)of overall parasitic fitness parameters indicated that the sporulation ability,infection and spore survivability,expansion capacity,and potential pathogenicity were the most important parasitic fitness attributes of the tested races.Based on the establishment of extracted three principal components and a comprehensive factor score mathematical models,evaluations of the parasitic fitness attributes of tested races showed that the level of relative parasitic fitness of the tested six races was:CYR32(1.15)>TSA-9(0.95)>TSA-6(0.92)>CYR34(0.29)>CYR31(–1.54)>CYR33(–1.77).The results indicated that two Yr5-virulent races TSA-9 and TSA-6 possessed relative parasitic fitness higher than races CYR34,CYR31,and CYR33,but lower than race CYR32,and have potential risks in developing to be predominant races.Therefore,continual monitoring of both Yr5-virulent races,and their variants is needed.The use of wheat cultivars(lines)with Yr5 resistance gene singly in wheat breeding is essential for being avoided,and is suggested to combine with other effective stripe rust resistance genes.

Theoretically predicted innovative palladium stripe dopingcobalt(111) surface with excellent catalytic performance for carbonmonoxide oxidative coupling to dimethyl oxalate

Pd-based catalysts are extensively employed to catalyze CO oxidative coupling to generate DMO,while the expensive price and high usage of Pd hinder its massive application in industrial production.Designing Pd-based catalysts with high efficiency and low Pd usage as well as expounding the catalytic mechanisms are significant for the reaction.In this study,we theoretically predict that Pd stripe doping Co(111)surface exhibits excellent performance than pure Pd(111),Pd monolayer supporting on Co(111)and Pd single atom doping Co(111)surface,and clearly expound the catalytic mechanisms through the density functional theory(DFT)calculation and micro-reaction kinetic model analysis.It is obtained that the favorable reaction pathway is COOCH_(3)-COOCH_(3)coupling pathway over these four catalysts,while the rate-controlling step is COOCH_(3)+CO+OCH_(3)→2COOCH_(3)on Pd stripe doping Co(111)surface,which is different from the case(2COOCH_(3)→DMO)on pure Pd(111),Pd monolayer supporting on Co(111)and Pd single atom doping Co(111)surface.This study can contribute a certain reference value for developing Pd-based catalysts with high efficiency and low Pd usage for CO oxidative coupling to DMO.

Physiological and Biochemical Characteristic of a Stripe Mutant with Abnormal Flower Organs in Rice

[Objective] The experiment aimed to explore physiological and biochemical changes of leaves after plants were mutated. [Method] A rice double mutant with stripes on stems, leaves and spikelets were taken as experimental materials to study the enzyme activity changes in different growth stages and amino acid variation in rice. [ Result] The SOD activity in mutant was higher than that in wild plant at tillering metaphase, but lower than that in wild type before heading stage and late flowering; the POD activity in three stages increased firstly then declined and the activity showed highest maximal activity at before heading stage. However, the POD activity in wild type showed the opposite change trend; the CAT activity presented degression at three stages, especially high at tillering metaphase, but reverse changes in wild type; the MDA activity decreased at three stages, but it was still higher than that in wild type, besides, the soluble sugar content of mutant was lower, but total amino acid content was increased. [ Conclusion] The expression of mutant characteristics was correlated with SOD, POD, CAT and MDA activity Changes and these changes made the mutant survive and rice quality change at last.