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Context Sperm storage is a complex and highly coordinated process that is regulated by a variety of factors. The BCL 2 protein family plays a key role in regulating apoptosis, and determines sperm survival. Aims The objective of this study was to explore the correlation between sperm storage and the BCL 2 protein family in the oviduct of Mauremys reevesii. Methods Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) techniques were used to investigate three parts of the reproductive tract (isthmus, uterus and vagina) of mated and unmated female M. reevesii. Key results Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed many sperm stored in the oviduct. IHC showed positive immunostaining for the BCL 2 and BAX proteins in epithelial ciliated and glandular cells. RT-qPCR indicated that the mRNA expressions of anti-apoptotic genes (BCL 2, MCL 1, BCL-W, BCL-XL) and the androgen receptor (AR) were significantly higher in mated turtles than unmated turtles. However, the expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BAX, BAD, BID and CASPASE 3) showed the opposite relationship. Conclusions These results suggest that sperm entering the oviduct can promote the synthesis of anti-apoptotic genes to protect themselves from various degradation factors. Implications These findings will help researchers understand the mechanisms of sperm storage.

Spinel manganese-based oxide, as a promising cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), has attracted wide attention due to advantages of high voltage platform, and non-toxic and environmental friendliness. However, the poor conductivity and structural collapse due to the dissolution of Mn2+ limit the properties of the material. In this paper, the ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles with coating of Cu0-doped CuO (ZnMn2O4/CuO) were prepared by hydrothermal reaction and subsequent sintering process. The coating of Cu0-doped CuO displays a synergistic effect of two-phase composite, which effectively improves the conductivity and the charging/discharging electrochemical performance of the composite. As cathode materials for ZIBs, the ZnMn2O4/CuO composite shows a discharge-specific capacity of 150 mAh g−1 after an activation process at 300 mA g−1, it exhibits improved electrochemical performance than the pure ZnMn2O4. At a high current density of 2 A g−1, the composite displays a capacity of 118 mA h g−1, and the Coulomb efficiency of above 96% can be maintained throughout the cycles, indicating the high reversibility of charging and discharging.

The Honglian (HL)-type cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has only been used in the development of three-line indica rice hybrids, and the fertility of HL-type indica CMS lines can be restored by two nonallelic fertility-restorer (Rf) genes, Rf5 and Rf6. For the development of HL-type japonica hybrid combinations, it is therefore necessary to determine whether Rf5 and Rf6 can restore the fertility of HL-type japonica CMS lines. Here, we genetically characterized HL-type japonica CMS lines and the ability of Rf5 and Rf6 to restore fertility for breeding HL-type japonica hybrids. I2-KI pollen staining revealed that HL-type japonica CMS lines and their derived testcross F1 hybrids had stained abortive pollen grains, unlike HL-type indica CMS lines. Crossing experiments showed that Rf5 and Rf6 partially restored the fertility of HL-type japonica CMS lines, and Rf6 showed higher restorability than Rf5. Furthermore, we found that there were additive and dosage effects of Rf5 and Rf6 with respect to fertility restoration in HL-type japonica CMS lines. These results give critical insight into the breeding of HL-type japonica CMS lines and restorers, which will be helpful for the development of commercial HL-type japonica hybrids.

Heading date, a complex quantitative trait, determines regional adaptability and is associated with grain yield and quality in rice. In this study, we characterized qHd2-1, a minor-effect quantitative locus (QTL) for promoting heading date (by 3–4 days) under long-day (LD) conditions, but not short-day (SD) conditions. The qHd2-1 locus was detected in single segment substitution line (SSSL) N22-1, which was developed using indica 9311 as the donor and japonica Nipponbare (NP) as the recipient. A set of substitution lines were developed from a segregating population derived from a cross between N22-1 and NP. Based on the genotypic identification and phenotypic evaluation of the target substitution lines, qHd2-1 was narrowed down to a 105-kb region between STS2-20 and STS2-22 on the short arm of chromosome 2. Furthermore, qHd2-1 was found to function by upregulating the florigen genes Hd3a and RFT1 during floral induction under LD conditions. Field tests showed that qHd2-1 promotion of heading date affects grain yield‑related agronomic traits, such as plant height, panicle number per plant, and flag leaf size, as well as thousand-grain weight and grain width. Taken together, these findings establish a foundation for cloning this minor-effect QTL involved in heading date, and qHd2-1 could be of great significance in rice breeding to allow the fine-tuning of heading date in rice cultivars.

Grain number per panicle (GN) is one of the most important determinants of grain yield potential in rice. However, the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate GN remain largely unknown. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain yield–related traits were detected using a set of chromosomal segment substitution lines (CSSLs) that were generated from a cross between the indica cultivar 9311 as the trait donor, and the japonica cultivar ‘Nipponbare’ as the recipient. In total, 25 QTLs for panicle-related traits, including GN, panicle length, primary branch number, and secondary branch number, were identified on eight chromosomes. Among the QTLs, qGN1c for GN was found to be located near Gn1a, a previously reported major QTL for GN on chromosome 1. Fine mapping placed qGN1c within a region of ~ 379 kb in a chromosomal interval flanking Gn1a, indicating that qGN1c is an uncloned gene. Evaluation of agronomic traits in a near isogenic line (NIL-qGN1c9311) suggested that qGN1c does not have additional impacts on agronomic traits except GN and thousand grain weight. More importantly, the grain yields per plant for the NIL-qGN1c9311 were significantly increased by 13.34% and 14.46% in two planting locations. Therefore, we conclude that the identification of qGN1c provides a useful genetic tool for the improvement of grain yield in rice breeding, and our findings will be helpful in cloning qGN1c.

With the rapid development of China's automobile industry, the number of cars is increasing rapidly. Automobile has developed into an important means of transportation for people. However, while people are enjoying the convenience and speed brought by the vehicle travel, the theft of vehicles is causing more and more concern. Owing to the importance of vehicles safety, how to prevent vehicles from being stolen is becoming a hot topic in the field of artificial intelligence. In this paper, a vehicle anti-theft alarm and tracking system based on Android operating system in hand-held communication terminal is designed and developed. By using the built-in sensors of the terminal based on Android Operating System (OS), such as a smart phone, the abnormal information of a vehicle will be sent to the owner's smart phone through communication network. In this way, the long-distance remote alarm can be realized. In addition, the usage of the positioning function of GPS or communication base station makes vehicle location tracking into possible. Finally, a demo system is performed and it can effectively perform vehicle anti-theft alarm and tracking.

The quality requirement for raw material is becoming more and stricter along with technical development of semiconductor industry. To meet the high technical requirement, effective quality control at raw material kickoff stage can remarkably reduce quality risk during manufacturing process. This paper will focus on the application of advanced quality control at raw material kickoff stage. The purpose is to reduce manufacturing risk by implementing the advanced quality control methodology at raw material kickoff stage and strictly following the defined requirements during mass production at both supplier plant and foundry.