Student researchers’ perceived prerequisites for voluntary research collaboration in the context of Flemish and Chinese universities

<div><p>While numerous papers have illuminated the worthiness of research collaboration, relatively few have addressed its prerequisites. In our study, seven prerequisites for research collaboration were extracted from the existing literature, and 460 student researchers were surveyed for their perceptions of the prerequisites’ importance. Focusing on voluntary research collaborations rather than brokered ones, it was found that socially oriented prerequisites such as reciprocal interactions, accountability, trust, and equality are perceived of more importance than prerequisites of psychical proximity, networking channels, and funds and material supplies (substance- and entity-related prerequisites). With latent regression analyses, we also found that Chinese and older, more experienced researchers are inclined to stress the importance of equality. Researchers of different cohorts prioritise substance- and entity-related prerequisites disparately. Specifically, Chinese researchers emphasise the necessity of funds, while researchers from first-tier universities place more value on networking channels. Disciplinary differences for the prerequisite of proximity were also discovered. Based on these results, discussion and implications were referred. Further suggestions on research collaboration studies are rendered.</p></div

Latent class analysis model summary on seven collaboration prerequisites.

<p>Latent class analysis model summary on seven collaboration prerequisites.</p

Demographical profile of research participants.

<p>Demographical profile of research participants.</p

The perceived importance on each prerequisite.

<p>The perceived importance on each prerequisite.</p

Determinants on collaboration prerequisites (Latent class regression results summary).

<p>Determinants on collaboration prerequisites (Latent class regression results summary).</p

Assumption that different nationalities, disciplinary domains, maturity levels and university rankings could affect researchers’ perceptions of the prerequisites for research collaborations.

<p>Assumption that different nationalities, disciplinary domains, maturity levels and university rankings could affect researchers’ perceptions of the prerequisites for research collaborations.</p

Activity of Su(var) 3-9 in Sf9 cells.

<p>Sf9 cells were harvested 3 d post treatments with Chaetocin at appropriate concentration determined by MTT assay (A) and transient overexpression of S. <i>frugiperda</i> Su(var) 3-9. Nuclear proteins were extracted and the global methylation level was evaluated (B). Cellular DNA was isolated and digested with DNase I. The percentage of DNA resistant to the nuclease was determined with qPCR with primers for S. <i>frugiperda β-Actin</i> and β<i>-Tubulin</i> (C, D). The error bars indicate the standard deviation calculated from at least three independent parallel experiments.</p

Schematic diagram of <i>Spodoptera</i> Su(<i>var</i>) <i>3-9/eIF2γ</i> genome context and splice pattern.

<p>Numbered boxes represent exons of ORFs. The corresponding sites in genome for each exon are indicated (numbers at upper left for starts and lower right for ends). Broken lines between exons represent intron regions. The polyadenylation signals downstream of ORFs are indicated.</p

The effect of Chaetocin on the transcriptions of AcMNPV immediate early genes <i>IE0/1</i> (A) and <i>IE2</i> (B).

<p>The error bars indicate the standard deviation calculated from at least three independent parallel experiments. p.i.: post infection.</p

Identification and Characterization of the <i>Spodoptera</i> Su(var) 3-9 Histone H3K9 trimethyltransferase and Its Effect in AcMNPV Infection

<div><p>Histone H3-lysine⁹ (H3K9) trimethyltransferase gene <i>Su</i>(<i>var</i>) <i>3-9</i> was cloned and identified in three <i>Spodoptera</i> insects, <i>Spodoptera</i><i>frugiperda</i> (<i>S</i><i>. frugiperda</i>), <i>S</i><i>. exigua</i> and <i>S</i><i>. litura</i>. Sequence analysis showed that <i>Spodoptera</i> Su(<i>var</i>) <i>3-9</i> is highly conserved evolutionarily. Su(var) 3-9 protein was found to be localized in the nucleus in Sf9 cells, and interact with histone H3, and the heterochromatin protein 1a (HP1a) and HP1b. A dose-dependent enzymatic activity was found at both 27 °C and 37 °C in vitro, with higher activity at 27 °C. Addition of specific inhibitor chaetocin resulted in decreased histone methylation level and host chromatin relaxation. In contrast, overexpression of Su(var) 3-9 caused increased histone methylation level and cellular genome compaction. In AcMNV-infected Sf9 cells, the transcription of <i>Su</i>(<i>var</i>) <i>3-9</i> increased at late time of infection, although the mRNA levels of most cellular genes decreased. Pre-treatment of Sf9 cells with chaetocin speeded up viral DNA replication, and increased the transcription level of a variety of virus genes, whereas in Sf9 cells pre-transformed with Su(var) 3-9 expression vector, viral DNA replication slow down slightly. These findings suggest that Su(var) 3-9 might participate in the viral genes expression an genome replication repression during AcMNPV infection. It provided a new insight for the understanding virus–host interaction mechanism.</p> </div