The Impact of Team Learning Climate on Innovation Performance - Mediating role of knowledge integration capability.

To address the fierce competition for corporate innovation in the digital economy, this study introduces knowledge integration capability as a mediating variable in light of social information processing theory, and explores the mechanism of team learning climate on innovation performance. Data were collected from a sample of 184 team members for statistical analysis, and Statistical methods such as descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to verify the study hypotheses through SPSS and Amos software, and the results showed that: (1) Team learning climate has a significant positive effect on knowledge integration capability. (2) Team learning climate has a significant positive effect on innovation performance. (3) Knowledge integration capability has a significant positive effect on innovation performance. (4) Knowledge integration capability partially mediates the role between team learning climate and innovation performance. The results proved the perspective of knowledge integration capability for the mechanism of team learning climate on innovation performance from the perspective of knowledge integration capability, and provided theoretical references for creating a learning climate in companies to promote members' knowledge learning and enhance innovation performance.

A newly found manganese hyperaccumulator--Polygonum lapathifolium Linn.

In the present work, both field investigation and laboratory experiment were carried out to testify whether Polygonum lapathifolium L. is a potential manganese (Mn) hyperaccumulator. Results from field investigation showed that P. lapathifolium had great tolerance and accumulation to Mn. Mn concentrations in leaves were the highest, varied from 6889.2 mg kg-1 dry weight (DW) to 18841.7 mg kg(-1) DW with the average of 12180.6 mg kg(-1). The values of translocation factor (the concentrations of Mn in leaf to that in root) ranged from 5.72 to 9.53. Results from laboratory experiment illuminated that P. lapathifolium could grow well and show no toxic symptoms even under high Mn stress (16 mmol L(-1)). Although the changes of antioxidant enzymes activities were triggered under Mn stress, the alterations of pigments were not significant (P > 0.05) as compared with control. Total plant biomass and plant height increased with increasing Mn supply. Mn concentrations in leaves and stems were constantly greater than those in roots, the ratio of concentrations in leaves to that in roots were 2.58-6.72 and the corresponding values in stems to that in roots were 1.45-3.18. The results showed that P. lapathifolium is a Mn-hyperaccumulator.

Phylogenetic and recombination analysis of rice black-streaked dwarf virus segment 9 in China.

Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) is an economically important virus that causes maize rough dwarf disease and rice black-streaked dwarf disease in East Asia. To study RBSDV variation and recombination, we examined the segment 9 (S9) sequences of 49 RBSDV isolates from maize and rice in China. Three S9 recombinants were detected in Baoding, Jinan, and Jining, China. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Chinese RBSDV isolates could be classified into two groups based on their S9 sequences, regardless of host or geographical origin. Further analysis suggested that S9 has undergone negative and purifying selection.

[Analysis on breeding potential of eight synthetic populations to improve a Chinese maize hybrid Zhengdan 958].

Maize (Zea mays L.) populations are potential sources of favorable alleles absent in parental inbred lines to improve elite hybrids. The maize hybrid Zhengdan 958 has been hampered by the lack of favorable new alleles for improving yield and commodity quality. In the present study, 16 testcrosses made by using eight synthetic populations as the donors and the two parental lines of Zhengdan 958 as the receptors were evaluated in 2009 and 2010 at Shunyi, Beijing and Xinxiang, Henan Province for grain yield and test weight. Four genetic parameters were used to determine the breeding potential of eight synthetic populations as the donors to improve the target hybrid. Several synthetic populations were identified as the potential sources of favorable alleles absent in the target hybrid for each trait evaluated. The two most promising germplasms, WBMC-4 and Shanxi Syn3, had the potential for simultaneously improving grain yield and test weight of the target hybrid, which could be used to improve the parental lines Zheng 58 and Chang 7-2, respectively, and further broaden the germplasm base of Chinese heterotic groups PA and Sipingtou.

[Characterization and potential utilization of maize populations in America region].

Introgression of exotic maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm is an effective approach to broadening the genetic base of Chinese germplasm. America is the center of maize origin and germplasm diversity. By analyzing general combining ability effects and heterosis responses among maize populations from the U.S., International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and Brazil studied by different authors, 24 elite maize populations from America region, including eight U.S. populations, eight CIMMYT populations, and eight Brazilian populations, were identified as having high potential in China. Based on adaptation improvement, we suggest to introgress BSSS(R)C10, BS10(FR)C14, BS13(S)C9, BSK(HI)C8 Syn 3, BR106, Pop44(C8), and Pop45(C3) into Chinese heterotic group A, and introgress BS11(FR)C14, BS16(S)C3 Syn 2, BS29(R)C3, BSCB1(R)C14, BR105, and Pop42(C4) into Chinese heterotic group B by forming semi-exotic populations or pools, respectively, in order to broaden the Chinese germplasm base.

Cloning and molecular characterization of a novel rolling-circle replicating plasmid, pK1S-1, from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki K1.

Bacillus thuringiensis, an entomopathogenic bacterium belonging to the B. cereus group, harbors numerous extra-chromosomal DNA molecules whose sizes range from 2 to 250 kb. In this study, we used a plasmid capture system (PCS) to clone three small plasmids from B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki Kl which were not found in B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-1, and determined the complete nucleotide sequence of plasmid pKlS-1 (5.5 kb). Of the six putative open reading frames (ORF2-ORF7) in pKlS-1, ORF2 (MobKl) showed approximately 90% aa identity with the Mob-proteins of pGI2 and pTX14-2, which are rolling circle replicating group VII (RCR group VII) plasmids from B. thuringiensis. In addition, a putative origin of transfer (oriT) showed 95.8% identity with those of pGI2 and pTX14-2. ORF3 (RepK1) showed relatively low aa identity (17.8-25.2%) with the Rep protein coded by RCR plasmids, however. The putative double-strand origin of replication (dso) and single-strand origin of replication (sso) of pKlS-1 exhibited approximately 70% and 64% identities with those of pGI2 and pTX14-2. ORF6 and 7 showed greater than 50% similarities with alkaline serine protease, which belongs to the subtilase family. The other 2 ORFs were identified as hypothetical proteins. To determine the replicon of pKlS-1, seven subclones were contructed in the B. thuringiensis ori-negative pHTIK vector and were electroporated into a plasmid cured B. thuringiensis strain. The 1.6 kb region that included the putative ORF3 (ReplK), dso and ORF4, exhibited replication ability. These findings identified pKlS-1 as a new RCR group VII plasmid, and determined its replication region.

Sequence and gene organization of 24 circles from the Cotesia plutellae bracovirus genome.

Twenty-four genomic segments of Cotesia plutellae bracovirus (CpBV) were completely sequenced, and their genomic structures were analyzed. The aggregated genome size is 351,299 bp long and exhibits an average GC content of approximately 34.6%. Average coding density is about 32.3%, and 125 putative open reading frames (ORFs) are predicted. More than half (52.5%) of predicted genes are annotated as hypothetical, but they share sequence similarities with those of other bracoviral genomes. The annotated ORFs can be classified into the known bracoviral families, in which a family of protein tyrosine phosphatase is the largest, including 36 ORFs, suggesting a significant role during parasitization. In addition, 8 and 7 ORFs encode ankyrin-like and EP1-like genes, respectively. Some predicted genes are known only in Cotesia-associated bracoviral genomes. Phylogenetic analyses based on PTP, ankyrin and EP1-like gene groups revealed no correlation between bracoviruses.

Analysis of promoter activity of selected Cotesia plutellae bracovirus genes.

In a previous study, we cloned 27 discrete genome segments of Cotesia plutellae bracovirus (CpBV) and provided the complete nucleotide sequences and annotation. Seven putative coding regions were predicted from one of the largest segments, CpBV-S30. The activity of promoters associated with six predicted ORFs from this segment were investigated using both transient and baculovirus expression assays with enhanced green fluorescent protein as a reporter gene. CpBV promoters showed activity earlier than the polyhedrin promoter and the activity of some of these promoters was superior to that of the Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) ie-1 promoter in the baculovirus expression assays. The promoter of ORF3004 showed the highest level of activity in insect cells, exhibiting 24 % of the activity obtained with the AcMNPV polyhedrin promoter in Sf9 cells. In Spodoptera exigua larvae, the ORF3006 promoter showed the highest activity, with about 35 % of the activity measured with the polyhedrin promoter. In addition, analysis of the ORF3006 promoter revealed that the region between -382 and -422 from the translation start point was critical for activity of this promoter. These results suggest that the CpBV-S30 promoters characterized here could be useful tools in a variety of biotechnological applications, such as gene expression analyses and insecticide development.

Isolation and characterization of strain of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kenyae containing two novel cry1-type toxin genes.

To identify novel crystal proteins, Bacillus thuringiensis 2385-1 was isolated from Korean soil samples and characterized. The H-serotype of 2385-1 was identical to that of subsp. kenyae (H4a4c), and its crystal toxin was bipyramidal-shaped. However, 2385-1 showed a much higher toxicity towards Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera exigua larvae than subsp. kenyae. In addition, the crystal protein profile and plasmid DNA pattern of 2385-1 differed from those of subsp. kenyae. To verify the crystal protein gene types of 2385-1, a PCR-RFLP analysis was performed, and the results revealed that 2385-1 contained two novel cry1-type crystal protein genes, cry1-5 and cry1-12, in addition to the cry1Ja1 gene. The deduced amino acid sequences of cry1-5 and cry1-12 showed a 97.9% and 75.7% sequence similarity with the CrylAb and Cry1Ja crystal proteins, respectively. Among the novel crystal proteins, Cry1-5 showed a high toxicity towards P. xylostella and S. exigua larvae. In conclusion, B. thuringiensis 2385-1 is a new isolate in terms of its gene types, and should be a promising source for an insecticide to control lepidopteran larvae.

Bacillus thuringiensis as a specific, safe, and effective tool for insect pest control.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was first described by Berliner [10] when he isolated a Bacillus species from the Mediterranean flour moth, Anagasta kuehniella, and named it after the province Thuringia in Germany where the infected moth was found. Although this was the first description under the name B. thuringiensis, it was not the first isolation. In 1901, a Japanese biologist, Ishiwata Shigetane, discovered a previously undescribed bacterium as the causative agent of a disease afflicting silkworms. Bt was originally considered a risk for silkworm rearing but it has become the heart of microbial insect control. The earliest commercial production began in France in, 1938, under the name Sporeine [72]. A resurgence of interest in Bt has been attributed to Edward Steinhaus [105], who obtained a culture in 1942 and attracted attention to the potential of Bt through his subsequent studies. In 1956, T. Angus [3] demonstrated that the crystalline protein inclusions formed in the course of sporulation were responsible for the insecticidal action of Bt. By the early 1980's, Gonzalez et al. [48] revealed that the genes coding for crystal proteins were localized on transmissible plasmids, using a plasmid curing technique, and Schnepf and Whiteley [103] first cloned and characterized the genes coding for crystal proteins that had toxicity to larvae of the tobacco hornworm, from plasmid DNA of Bt subsp. kurstaki HD-1. This first cloning was followed quickly by the cloning of many other cry genes and eventually led to the development of Bt transgenic plants. In the 1980s, several scientists successively demonstrated that plants can be genetically engineered, and finally, Bt cotton reached the market in 1996 [104].

Identification and molecular characterization of novel cry1-type toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis K1 isolated in Korea.

To clone novel cry1-type genes from the Bacillus thuringiensis K1 isolate, about 2.4-kb-long PCR fragments were amplified with two primer sets of ATG1-F/N400-R and 1BeATG1-F/N400-R. Using PCR-RFLP, three novel cry1-type genes, cry1-1, cry1-7, and cry1-44, were obtained from B. thuringiensis K1 and the complete coding sequences of these novel genes were analyzed. The Cry1-1, Cry1-7, and Cry1-44 proteins showed maximum similarities of about 78.0%, 99.7%, and 91.0% with the Cry1Ha1, Cry1Be1, and Cry1Ac2 proteins, respectively. These novel cry1-type genes were expressed using a baculovirus expression vector system and their insecticidal activities were investigated. Whereas all three novel genes were toxic to Plutella xylostella larvae, only Cry1-1 showed insecticidal activity against Spodoptera exigua larvae.

[Heavy metal concentrations and pollution assessment of edible crops grown on restored manganese mine lands in Guangxi, South China].

A survey on the crops grown on the restored manganese mine lands in Pingle and Lipu of Guangxi was conducted, and the heavy metal concentrations in the edible parts of the crops were analyzed. The results showed that the heavy metal concentrations in the crops were 1.18-20.46 mg x kg(-1) for Zn, 0.52-16.16 mg x kg(-1) for Pb, 0.33-6.62 mg x kg(-1) for Cr, 0.01-6.24 mg x kg(-1) for Cu, and 0.01-2.76 mg x kg(-1) for Cd. Among the crops, beans had the highest concentrations of almost all test metals, followed by potatoes. The assessment of single factor pollution indices indicated that in the main, the crops were not polluted by Zn and Cu, but heavily polluted by Pb, Cr and Cd, with the pollution rate being 100%, 96.9% and 75.0%, respectively. Comprehensive pollution index indicated that all the crops were polluted by heavy metals, with the heavy, medium and light pollution grade being 87.5%, 9.4% and 3.1%, respectively. Planting edible crops directly on manganese mine wastelands might have great risk for human health, and the existing restoration patterns should be reconsidered.

[Construction of a SSR linkage map and mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for leaf angle and leaf orientation with an elite maize hybrid].

Maize (Zea mays L.) breeders have begun selecting for more compact plants for higher density planting in order to increase yield per unit area. Leaf angle and leaf orientation are very important traits affecting maize plant type (compactness). In this study, a genetic linkage map containing 138 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was constructed based on a mapping population consisting of 500 F2 individuals from the cross between inbred lines Ye478 and Dan340. This SSR linkage map spans a total of 1 394.9 cM with an average interval of 10.1 cM. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for leaf angle and leaf orientation were identified in 397 F2:3 families. Six QTL for leaf angle were detected that could explain 41.0% of the phenotypic variation; while, eight QTL were detected for leaf orientation that could explain 60.8% of the phenotypic varia-tion. Single QTL contribution to phenotypic variation ranged from 2.9% to 13.6%. Additive and partial dominance were the main genetic effects for leaf angle and leaf orientation; in addition, nine pairs of locus interactions were detected for the two traits, indicating that epistatic interactions at the two-loci level also play a measurable role in the genetic basis of the two traits.

Genomic segments cloning and analysis of Cotesia plutellae polydnavirus using plasmid capture system.

Cotesia plutellae polydnaviruses (CpBV) has a segmented genome consisting of multiple circular double stranded DNAs. Recently, we have developed an easy, simple, and convenient system based on Tn7 transposition in order to clone genomic segments of CpBV in Escherichia coli cell and designated plasmid capture system (PCS). The PCS donor-S transferred a pUC19 origin of replication and an ampicillin resistance marker into CpBV genomic DNA by in vitro transposition. Through PCS system, we were able to clone 53 genomic clones ranging from 0.1 to 25.5 kb and further they were classified into 29 segments by their sizes and restriction endonuclease patterns. Among them, a complete nucleotide sequence of CpBV-S28 segment was determined and 10 putative genes were predicted from this segment. Interestingly, 9 of 10 putative ORFs had high level of similarities with catalytic domain of protein tyrosine phosphatase. Also, ORF2807 showed similarity with EP1-like proteins of C. congregata polydnavirus.

Isolation and characterization of a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. morrisoni PG-14 encoding delta-endotoxin Cry1Ac.

Bacillus thuringiensis 656-3, isolated from a soil sample collected at mushroom houses, showed high toxicity to mushroom flies, Lycoriella mali and Coboldia fuscipes. B. thuringiensis 656-3 produced bipyramidal inclusions and reacted with the H antiserum of B. thuringiensis subsp. morrisoni (H8a8b). The plasmid and protein profiles of B. thuringiensis 656-3 were similar to those of its reference strain, subsp. morrisoni PG-14. However, PCR analysis using cry gene primers showed that B. thuringiensis 656-3, unlike its reference strain, had cry4A, cry4B, cry10A, cry11A, and cry1Ac genes, suggesting that B. thuringiensis 656-3 was a unique strain with respect to gene type. In addition, B. thuringiensis 656-3 showed a high level of toxicity against mushroom flies, L. mali and C. fuscipes.

Expression of a recombinant Cry1Ac crystal protein fused with a green fluorescent protein in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki Cry-B.

To investigate the co-expression and crystallization of a fusion gene between the Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein and a foreign protein in B. thuringiensis, the expression of the Cry1Ac fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes in a B. thuringiensis Cry(-)B strain was examined. The cry1Ac gene was cloned in the B. thuringiensis-E. coli shuttle vector, pHT3101, under the control of the native cry1Ac gene promoter, while the GFP gene was inserted into the XhoI site upstream of the proteolytic cleavage site, in the middle region of the cry1Ac gene (pProAc-GFP). The B. thuringiensis Cry(-)B strain carrying pProAc-GFP (ProAc-GFP/CB) did not produce any inclusion bodies. However, the transformed strain expressed fusion protein forms although the expression level was relatively low. Furthermore, an immunoblot analysis using GFP and Cry1Ac antibodies showed that the fusion protein was not a single species, but rather multiple forms. In addition, the N-terminal fragment of Cry1Ac and a non-fused GFP were also found in the B. thuringiensis Cry(-)B strain after autolysis. The sporulated cells before autolysis and the spore-crystal mixture after autolysis of ProAc-GFP/CB exhibited insecticidal activities against Plutella xylostella larvae. Accordingly, the current results suggest that a fusion crystal protein produced by the transfomant, ProAc-GFP/CB, can be functionally expressed but easily degraded in B. thuringiensis.