Fm Value Research Articles

Nano-silicone and Ascophyllum nodosum-based biostimulant down-regulates the negative effect of in vitro induced-salinity in Rosa damascena

BackgroundRosa damascena is extensively cultivated in various regions of Iran due to its aesthetic attributes, medicinal qualities, and essential oil production. This study investigated the efficacy of Ascophyllum nodosum extract (AnE) at concentrations of 0, 2, and 3 g L− 1 and Nano-silicon (nSiO2) at concentrations of 0, 50, and 100 mg L− 1 in ameliorating the impact of salinity on two genotypes of Damask rose (‘Chaharfasl’ and ‘Kashan’) under in vitro culture conditions. Additionally, various physio-chemical characteristics of R. damascena explants were assessed.ResultsThe findings revealed that exposure to 100 mM NaCl resulted in a substantial reduction in the Relative Water Content (RWC), Membrane Stability Index (MSI), leaf pigments (Chlorophyll b, Chlorophyll a, total Chlorophyll, and carotenoids), chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and protein content in both genotypes when compared to control conditions. Salinity induced a significant increase in the parameter F0 and a decrease in the parameter Fv/Fm compared to the control conditions in both genotypes. Nonetheless, the genotype Kashan treated with 3 g L− 1 AnE + 100 mg L− 1 nSiO2 exhibited the maximum Fm value under control conditions, with a significant difference compared to other treatments. Furthermore, salinity caused a considerable reduction in Fm in both ‘Kashan’ and ‘Chaharfasl’ by 22% and 17%, respectively, when compared to the control condition. ‘Kashan’ displayed the maximum Fv/Fm compared to the other genotype. The maximum levels of Malondialdehyde (MAD) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were also observed in explants affected by salinity. The combination of 3 g L− 1 AnE + 100 mg L− 1 nSiO2, followed by 2 g L− 1 AnE + 100 mg L− 1 nSiO2, exhibited substantial positive effects. Salinity also led to an increase in proline content and the activity of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) in both genotypes. The activity of these enzymes was further enhanced when AnE was applied at concentrations of 2 and 3 g L− 1 in combination with 100 mg L− 1 nSiO2.ConclusionsThe ‘Kashan’ genotype displayed greater tolerance to salinity by enhancing water balance, maintaining membrane integrity, and augmenting the activity of antioxidant enzymes compared to ‘Chaharfasl’. The utilization of nSiO2 and AnE biostimulants demonstrated potential benefits for R. damascena, both under salinity and control conditions. These findings hold substantial importance for researchers, policymakers, and farmers, offering valuable insights into the development of salinity-tolerant crop varieties.

Environmental transfer parameters of strontium for soil to cow milk pathway for tropical monsoonal climatic region of the Indian subcontinent

The radionuclide transfer between compartments is commonly described by transfer parameters representing the ratio of concentrations of an element in two compartments for equilibrium conditions. This is a comprehensive study on the soil-to-grass transfer factor (Fv) and grass-to-cow milk transfer coefficient (Fm) for stable strontium (Sr) for soil-grass (pasture)-cow (Bos taurus) milk environmental pathway under field conditions for a high rainfall tropical monsoonal climatic region of the Indian subcontinent. The study was conducted in the vicinity of the Kaiga nuclear power plant (NPP), situated ~ 58 km inland of the West Coast of the Indian subcontinent. A grass field was developed exclusively for this study, and two cows of the native breed were raised to graze on it. The soil, grass, and milk were analyzed to evaluate the Fv and the Fm values for the stable Sr. For comparison, several pasture lands and the cows raised by the villagers and a dairy farm were also studied. The Fv values were in the range 0.18—8.6, the geometric mean (GM) being 1.8. The correlations of Fv values with a range of physicochemical parameters are presented. The GM values for Fm were 2.2 × 10–3 d L-1 and 7.2 × 10–3 d L-1 for the two cows raised for this study, 2.6 × 10–3 d L-1 for those raised by the villagers, and 4.2 × 10–3 d L-1 for the dairy farm. The site-specific Fm value for the region was determined as 3.2 × 10–3 d L-1. The concentration ratio (CR), defined as the ratio of Sr concentration in milk to that in feed under equilibrium conditions, exhibited less variability (1.8 × 10–2—5.4 × 10–2) among the three categories of cows.

The Positive Influence of AMF on Wheat Growth and Physiology under Drought Conditions

Drought is one of the most important environmental stresses threatening wheat yield in the world. With global climate change, it is predicted that the precipitation regime will change and dry periods will increase. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) increases drought tolerance in wheat, affecting the physiological and biochemical properties of the plant and may increase yield. An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of nine different AMF, G.intraradices, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus mosseage, Glomus clarum, Glomus monosporus, Glomus deserticola, Glomus brasilianum, Glomus tunicatum, Gigaspora margarita on growth and physiology of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) subjected to different water statues. The seeds were sown in pots containing peat were placed in field. When the results of the study were evaluated, all traits were significantly affected by AMF application in dry conditions, except the leaf area. The highest values of plant height, root length, shoot and root dry weight were obtained by application of T3+AMF4. Shoot fresh weight, SPAD and relative water content reached the highest values under control conditions with the highest water (200 ml). The Fv / Fm value gave better results in pots at T4+AMF1. Root fresh weight and leaf area also increased with increasing water dose, and application of AMF to both seed and root gave the best results. The highest lipid peroxidation level in leaves was obtained from T1 + AMF4 application. In addition, it was observed that the proline and flavonoid content in both leaves and roots increased with AMF application in arid conditions.

The effect of nickel phytotoxicity on photosystem II activity and antioxidant enzymes in barley

In this study, the effect of mild (100 µM), moderate (300 µM) and severe (500 µM) nickel (NiSO4.7H2O) toxicity on the photosynthetic activity, photosynthetic pigment content and some antioxidant enzymes in the leaves of a barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Tarm-92) was investigated. Moderate and severe nickel toxicity decreased root length while shoot length was not affected by nickel stress, probably due to over accumulation of nickel in roots. Similarly, biomass accumulation was declined by moderate and severe nickel toxicity as reflected by the lowered fresh and dry weight. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and consequently total chlorophyll content decreased by all nickel applications, presumably because the reduced level of carotenoids. Chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements showed that nickel toxicity blocked electron movement in some specific points of the photosynthetic electron transport system. The constant Fo value indicated that PSII reaction centers was not damaged in the leaves of barley under nickel toxicity while the reduced Fm value showed that acceptor side of PSII was more sensitive to nickel toxicity as compared to donor side. Changes in JIP test parameters in the leaves of barley showed that primary photochemical reactions are reduced, and thermal dissipation of excess energy is increased. SOD and CAT activity is elevated in the leaves of barley under moderate and severe nickel toxicity which demonstrate an efficient superoxide dismutation. Severe nickel toxicity, however, did not affect SOD and CAT activity. The ascorbate-glutathione cycle was activated in the leaves of barley plants under nickel toxicity, probably indicating an efficient H2O2 detoxification. However, considerable H2O2 and MDA accumulation was observed in the leaves of barley under nickel stress. As a result, it may be concluded that the barley genotype Tarm-92 is moderately tolerant to nickel toxicity.

TÁC ĐỘNG CỦA ACID SALICYLIC ĐẾN MỘT SỐ CHỈ TIÊU SINH LÍ CỦA CÚC MAI VÀNG CẮT CÀNH

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum sp.) has an important economic and medicinal value. This plant is the second most important cut flower produced in the world. Salicylic acid is a growth regulator with multifunction that is involved in plant physiology. In this works, the effect of salicylic acid at different concentrations (0.0; 0.25; 0.5; 0.75; 1.0; 1.5 and 2.0 mM, respectively) on physiological characteristics of Chrysanthemum "mai vang" cut flowers was investigated. Research results indicated that salicylic acid affected the content of photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence of leaves as well as anthocyanin content in the petals Chrysanthemum cv. “mai vang” cut flowers. Salicylic acid at concentrations of 0.25 - 0.5 mM increases the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids in leaf tissue at days 2 to 5 compared to day 1. The content of these photosynthetic pigments did not change through the experiments under influence of 0.75-1.0 mM salicylic acid. Meanwhile, salicylic acid at the concentration of 1.5 - 2.0 mM reduced photosynthetic pigment content at days 3 - 5 compared to day 1. A decrease of Fv\Fm value from day 1 to day 5 was observed in all experimental formula, the smallest reduction was found in the 0.25 and 0.5 mM treatments. Anthocyanins were higher accumulated in Chrysanthemum "mai vang" petals in all experimental formulas at days 2 to 4 than at day 1. At day 5, the anthocyanin content was still higher than at day 1 under salicylic acid treatments with concentrations of 0.25 - 0.75 mM.

Effect of various drying methods on the physical characteristics of purple yam powder

Purple yam (Dioscorea alata) is a type of plant that grown in almost all regions of Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, purple yam is one of the most popular types of sweet potatoes compared to other types of the genus Dioscorea. Purple yum is usually consumed directly as a side dish, or processed into a powder. One important process of making purple yam powder is drying. In this study, the characteristics of purple yam powder were evaluated from several drying methods, namely sunlight drying (SD), cabinet drying (CD), and pneumatic drying (PD). The pneumatic dryer used was self-made with a stainless steel plate (3 mm thickness) and has total dimension of 1600x 500x 2500 mm. The results showed that the CD sample had the lowest water content. The purple yam powder by CD and PD can produce brighter powder compared to that with SD method. From the FM test, the smallest FM value was obtained from CD sample. CD sample proven to be able to retain purple yam nutritive values after drying process.

Effect of various drying methods on the physicochemical characteristics of pumpkin powder

Pumpkin, one of the most famous cultivars from Cucurbita moschata, is a rich source of carotenoid. However, having high water content (above 80%) makes pumpkin extremely perishable, and difficult to be processed and stored. Therefore, pumpkin needs a dehydration process in which could remove moisture content from the product but still able to uphold its natural color and minimum nutrient losses. We have carried out a comprehensive study to investigate the effect of different methods; sunlight drying (SD), cabinet drying (CD), and pneumatic drying (PD) on the physicochemical properties of pumpkin powder. The pneumatic dryer used was self-fabricated with a stainless steel plate (3 mm thickness) that has a total dimension of 1600x 500x 2500 mm. The physicochemical properties evaluated include final moisture content, the color difference (ΔE), carbohydrate, fat, protein, and β-carotene. CD produced powder with the lowest final moisture content. The mean value of ΔE of PD was the lowest as compared to SD and CD. The SD sample has the lowest mean FM value. Pneumatic drying exhibit good potential to produce pumpkin powder while retaining its color and nutritive values.

Effect of oxidative stress on chlorophyll fluorescence, canopy temperature and total leaf protein content in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under drought during post anthesis period

Drought stress induced physiological changes such as chlorophyll fluorescence, canopy temperature and total leaf protein were studied in the present investigation in two wheat varieties viz. WH 1105 and WH 1025. Chlorophyll fluorescence is excellent tool to study stress induced changes in PSII. The Fv / Fm value denotes the injury to PS II due to influence of stress factors. Chlorophyll fluorescence decreased under drought stress in leaves of both varieties from 7th to 28th DAA. Canopy temperature indicates crop water status. Canopy temperature of 31.98 o C was recorded at 28th DAA in WH 1105 and the value is lower in WH 1025. Total soluble protein content was decreased under drought stress in leaf samples. Total soluble protein levels in leaves do not clearly indicate senescence symptoms driven by severe drought at grain filling period.

Теплоемкость и магнитокалорический эффект соединений LaFe-=SUB=-11.2-x-=/SUB=-Mn-=SUB=-x-=/SUB=-Co-=SUB=-0.7-=/SUB=-Si-=SUB=-1.1-=/SUB=- (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3)

The specific heat and magnetocaloric effect of the LaFe11.2-хMnxCo0.7Si1.1 intermetallic compounds (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) were measured in the temperature range 80–300 K and in magnetic fields up to 8 T. The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) was estimated using two methods: direct method in cyclic magnetic fields, as well as an indirect method from heat capacity data. It was shown that an increase in the concentration of Mn atoms leads to a shift in the Curie temperature of the TC toward lower temperatures, while the FM value changes slightly.

Thermal oxidation of carbon in organic matter rich volcanic soils: insights into SOC age differentiation and mineral stabilization

Radiocarbon ages and thermal stability measurements can be used to estimate the stability of soil organic carbon (OC). Soil OC is a complex reservoir that contains a range of compounds with different sources, reactivities, and residence times. This heterogeneity can shift bulk radiocarbon values and impact assessment of OC stability and turnover in soils. Four soil horizons (Oa, Bhs, Bs, Bg) were sampled from highly weathered 350 ka Pololu basaltic volcanics on the Island of Hawaii and analyzed by Ramped PyrOX (RPO) in both the pyrolysis (PY) and oxidation (OX) modes to separate a complex mixture of OC into thermally defined fractions. Fractions were characterized for carbon stable isotope and radiocarbon composition. PY and OX modes yielded similar results. Bulk radiocarbon measurements were modern in the Oa horizon (Fm = 1.013) and got progressively older with depth: the Bg horizon had an Fm value of 0.73. Activation energy distributions (p(E)) calculated using the ‘rampedpyrox’ model yielded consistent mean E values of 140 kJ mol−1 below the Oa horizon. The ‘rampedpyrox’ model outputs showed a mostly bimodal distribution in the p(E) below the Oa, with a primary peak at 135 kJ mol−1 and a secondary peak at 148 kJ mol−1, while the Oa was dominated by a single, higher E peak at 157 kJ mol−1. We suggest that mineral-carbon interaction, either through mineral surface-OC or metal-OC interactions, is the stabilization mechanism contributing to the observed mean E of 140 kJ mol−1 below the Oa horizon. In the Oa horizon, within individual RPO analyses, radiocarbon ages in the individual thermal fractions were indistinguishable (p > 0.1). The flat age distributions indicate there is no relationship between age and thermal stability (E) in the upper horizon (> 25 cm). Deeper in the soil profile higher µEf values were associated with older radiocarbon ages, with slopes progressively steepening with depth. In the deepest (Bg) horizon, there was the largest, yet modest change in Fm of 0.06 (626 radiocarbon years), indicating that older OC is slightly more thermally stable.

Being a cleaner in The Netherlands: coping with the dirty work stigma

Purpose This study aims to explore what it is like to be a cleaner in the Netherlands. Drawing on the dirty work theory, it answers the question of how cleaners in the Netherlands cope with the dirty work stigma. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative approach: 24 cleaners were interviewed and the researcher participated in a three-month cleaning course. By doing so, an insiders’ perspective was taken. Drawing upon the dirty work theory, a thematic analysis was made. Findings Cleaners take great pride in their work, but because of their social invisibility, they are not recognized by the people they work for, and they fail in being proud of themselves. This has moral consequences since cleaners start doubting whether they are seen as equal. Eventually, cleaners have an ambivalent relationship with their job. Practical implications Given the moral consequences, FM practitioners and researchers should take these findings into account. As FM value is dependent on the quality of the relations between FM and its stakeholders (e.g. cleaners), FM is challenged to think about its responsibilities toward cleaners and other dirty workers in its context. Originality/value There is not much research done in cleaning. The research that is done focuses on efficiency and organization of cleaning. Only little research focuses on the cleaner, an insiders’ perspective is scarce.

Comparative excitation-emission dependence of the FV /FM ratio in model green algae and cyanobacterial strains.

The emission spectra collected under conditions of open (F0 ) and closed (FM ) photosystem II (PSII) reaction centres are close-to-independent from the excitation wavelength in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella sorokiniana, whereas a pronounced dependence is observed in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 and Synechococcus PCC7942, instead. The differences in band-shape between the F0 and FM emission are limited in green algae, giving rise only to a minor trough in the FV /FM spectrum in the 705-720 nm range, irrespectively of the excitation. More substantial variations are observed in cyanobacteria, resulting in marked dependencies of the measured FV /FM ratios on both the excitation and the detection wavelengths. In cyanobacteria, the maximal FV /FM values (0.5-0.7), observed monitoring at approximately 684 nm and exciting Chl a preferentially, are comparable to those of green algae; however, FV /FM decreases sharply below approximately 660 nm. Furthermore, in the red emission tail, the trough in the FV /FM spectrum is more pronounced in cyanobacteria with respect to green algae, corresponding to FV /FM values of 0.25-0.4 in this spectral region. Upon direct phycobilisomes excitation (i.e. >520 nm), the FV /FM value detected at 684 nm decreases to 0.3-0.5 and is close-to-negligible (approximately 0.1) below 660 nm. At the same time, the FV spectra are, in all species investigated, almost independent on the excitation wavelength. It is concluded that the excitation/emission dependencies of the FV /FM ratio arise from overlapped contributions from the three independent emissions of PSI, PSII and a fraction of energetically uncoupled external antenna, excited in different proportions depending on the respective optical cross-section and fluorescence yield.

Quantitative Analysis of Complex Drug–Drug Interactions Between Repaglinide and Cyclosporin A/Gemfibrozil Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models With In Vitro Transporter/Enzyme Inhibition Data

Quantitative analysis of transporter- and enzyme-mediated complex drug–drug interactions (DDIs) is challenging. Repaglinide (RPG) is transported into the liver by OATP1B1 and then is metabolized by CYP2C8 and CYP3A4. The purpose of this study was to describe the complex DDIs of RPG quantitatively based on unified physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models using in vitro Ki values for OATP1B1, CYP3A4, and CYP2C8. Cyclosporin A (CsA) or gemfibrozil (GEM) increased the blood concentrations of RPG. The time profiles of RPG and the inhibitors were analyzed by PBPK models, considering the inhibition of OATP1B1 and CYP3A4 by CsA or OATP1B1 inhibition by GEM and its glucuronide and the mechanism-based inhibition of CYP2C8 by GEM glucuronide. RPG–CsA interaction was closely predicted using a reported in vitro Ki,OATP1B1 value in the presence of CsA preincubation. RPG–GEM interaction was underestimated compared with observed data, but the simulation was improved with the increase of fm,CYP2C8. These results based on in vitro Ki values for transport and metabolism suggest the possibility of a bottom–up approach with in vitro inhibition data for the prediction of complex DDIs using unified PBPK models and in vitro fm value of a substrate for multiple enzymes should be considered carefully for the prediction.

Metabolite Identification, Reaction Phenotyping, and Retrospective Drug-Drug Interaction Predictions of 17-Deacetylnorgestimate, the Active Component of the Oral Contraceptive Norgestimate.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen, a two-drug cocktail comprised of ethinylestradiol and norgestimate (13-ethyl-17-acetoxy-18, 19-dinor-17α-pregn-4-en-20yn-3 oxime), is commonly prescribed to avert unwanted pregnancies in women of reproductive age. In vivo, norgestimate undergoes extensive and rapid deacetylation to produce 17-deacetylnorgestimate (NGMN), an active circulating metabolite that likely contributes significantly to norgestimate efficacy. Despite being of primary significance, the metabolism and reaction phenotyping of NGMN have not been previously reported. Hence, detailed biotransformation and reaction phenotyping studies of NGMN with recombinant cytochrome P450 (P450), recombinant uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferases, and human liver microsomes in the presence and absence of selective P450 inhibitors were conducted. It was found that CYP3A4 plays a key role in NGMN metabolism with a fraction metabolized (fm) of 0.57. CYP2B6 and to an even lesser extent CYP2C9 were also observed to catalyze NGMN metabolism. Using this CYP3A4 fm value, the predicted plasma concentration versus time area under the curve (AUC) change in NGMN using a basic/mechanistic static model was found to be within 1.3-fold of the reported NGMN AUC changes for four modulators of CYP3A4. In addition to NGMN, we have also elucidated the biotransformation of norgestrel (NG), a downstream norgestimate and NGMN metabolite, and found that CYP3A4 and UGT1A1 have a major contribution to the elimination of NG with a combined fm value of 1. The data presented in this paper will lead to better understanding and management of NGMN-based drug-drug interactions when norgestimate is coadministered with CYP3A4 modulators.

Assessing the Blank Carbon Contribution, Isotope Mass Balance, and Kinetic Isotope Fractionation of the Ramped Pyrolysis/Oxidation Instrument at NOSAMS

AbstractWe estimate the blank carbon mass over the course of a typical Ramped PyrOx (RPO) analysis (150–1000°C; 5°C×min–1) to be (3.7±0.6) μg C with an Fm value of 0.555±0.042 and a δ13C value of (–29.0±0.1) ‰ VPDB. Additionally, we provide equations for RPO Fm and δ13C blank corrections, including associated error propagation. By comparing RPO mass-weighted mean and independently measured bulk δ13C values for a compilation of environmental samples and standard reference materials (SRMs), we observe a small yet consistent 13C depletion within the RPO instrument (mean–bulk: μ=–0.8‰; ±1σ=0.9‰; n=66). In contrast, because they are fractionation-corrected by definition, mass-weighted mean Fm values accurately match bulk measurements (mean–bulk: μ=0.005; ±1σ=0.014; n=36). Lastly, we show there exists no significant intra-sample δ13C variability across carbonate SRM peaks, indicating minimal mass-dependent kinetic isotope fractionation during RPO analysis. These data are best explained by a difference in activation energy between 13C- and 12C-containing compounds (13–12∆E) of 0.3–1.8 J×mol–1, indicating that blank and mass-balance corrected RPO δ13C values accurately retain carbon source isotope signals to within 1–2‰.

Effects of Drought Stress on Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Tomato

Drought stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses, which greatly influences the photosynthesis of plants. The present study aimed to determine effects of drought stress to chlorophyll fluorescence parameters on tomato seedlings. In this paper, tomato seedlings were treated for 3, 6, 12 or 24 h by polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) to simulate the drought stress. The effects of drought stress on chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of tomato leaves and the characteristics of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were analyzed by IMAGING-PAM modulated chlorophyll fluorescence in order to provide theoretical basis for tomato cultivation and breeding. The results showed that 1) the FM value of tomato seedlings after drought treatment was significantly lower than that without drought treatment about declined by 9.7%. 2) The value of Y (II) initially increased slightly and then decline eventually leveling off trend with the increasing of drought treatment time. 3) The ETR value was lower under drought stress than control check, especially when the drought stress treatment time up to 6 to 12 hours, the ETR value drops sharply, then increased slightly. 4) qP decreased from 0.646 to 0.4013 under the drought stress, which reflects the ability of oxidation of QA weakened, namely electron transfer activity of PS II decreased. 5) 15% PEG 6000 simulated drought stress treatment induced qN increased significantly.

Ultra-Small Graphitization Reactors for Ultra-Microscale 14C Analysis at the National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (NOSAMS) Facility

In response to the increasing demand for 14C analysis of samples containing less than 25 μg C, ultra-small graphitization reactors with an internal volume of ∼0.8 mL were developed at NOSAMS. For samples containing 6 to 25 μg C, these reactors convert CO2 to graphitic carbon in approximately 30 min. Although we continue to refine reaction conditions to improve yield, the reactors produce graphite targets that are successfully measured by AMS. Graphite targets produced with the ultra-small reactors are measured by using the Cs sputter source on the CFAMS instrument at NOSAMS where beam current was proportional to sample mass. We investigated the contribution of blank carbon from the ultra-small reactors and estimate it to be 0.3 ± 0.1 μg C with an Fm value of 0.43 ± 0.3. We also describe equations for blank correction and propagation of error associated with this correction. With a few exceptions for samples in the range of 6 to 7 μg C, we show that corrected Fm values agree with expected Fm values within uncertainty for samples containing 6–100 μg C.

Quadrupole transition strength in the (74)Ni nucleus and core polarization effects in the neutron-rich Ni isotopes.

The reduced transition probability B(E2;0(+)→2(+)) has been measured for the neutron-rich nucleus (74)Ni in an intermediate energy Coulomb excitation experiment performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. The obtained B(E2;0(+)→2(+))=642(-226)(+216) e(2) fm(4) value defines a trend which is unexpectedly small if referred to (70)Ni and to a previous indirect determination of the transition strength in (74)Ni. This indicates a reduced polarization of the Z=28 core by the valence neutrons. Calculations in the pfgd model space reproduce well the experimental result indicating that the B(E2) strength predominantly corresponds to neutron excitations. The ratio of the neutron and proton multipole matrix elements supports such an interpretation.

Wheat cultivars selected for high Fv /Fm under heat stress maintain high photosynthesis, total chlorophyll, stomatal conductance, transpiration and dry matter.

The chlorophyll fluorescence parameter Fv /Fm reflects the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry and has been widely used for early stress detection in plants. Previously, we have used a three-tiered approach of phenotyping by Fv /Fm to identify naturally existing genetic variation for tolerance to severe heat stress (3 days at 40°C in controlled conditions) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Here we investigated the performance of the previously selected cultivars (high and low group based on Fv /Fm value) in terms of growth and photosynthetic traits under moderate heat stress (1 week at 36/30°C day/night temperature in greenhouse) closer to natural heat waves in North-Western Europe. Dry matter accumulation after 7 days of heat stress was positively correlated to Fv /Fm . The high Fv /Fm group maintained significantly higher total chlorophyll and net photosynthetic rate (PN ) than the low group, accompanied by higher stomatal conductance (gs ), transpiration rate (E) and evaporative cooling of the leaf (ΔT). The difference in PN between the groups was not caused by differences in PSII capacity or gs as the variation in Fv /Fm and intracellular CO2 (Ci ) was non-significant under the given heat stress. This study validated that our three-tiered approach of phenotyping by Fv /Fm performed under increasing severity of heat was successful in identifying wheat cultivars differing in photosynthesis under moderate and agronomically more relevant heat stress. The identified cultivars may serve as a valuable resource for further studies to understand the physiological mechanisms underlying the genetic variability in heat sensitivity of photosynthesis.

Mapping value added positions in facilities management by using a product‐process matrix

Purpose – The purpose of this exploratory research paper is to present a product‐process matrix that assists FM organizations and their stakeholders to map their value added position in their organizations. Using this matrix, FM practitioners are able to assess the existing value added delivering, how it is formulated and identify actions for improvement.Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops the FM value added product‐process matrix to allow comparisons between different FM products with their FM processes and illustrates their degree of value delivery. The building blocks of the matrix are an FM product structure and an FM process structure. The supporting empirical data were collected through semi‐structured interviews from selected FM organizations supplemented by relevant documents.Findings – Based on a product‐process matrix, a typology of FM value added positions is introduced, namely, support, enable, ensure and enhance. Each position has merits and requirements under specific circumstan...