Copy Number Variation Affecting the Photoperiod-B1 and Vernalization-A1 Genes Is Associated with Altered Flowering Time in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The timing of flowering during the year is an important adaptive character affecting reproductive success in plants and is critical to crop yield. Flowering time has been extensively manipulated in crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during domestication, and this enables them to grow productively in a wide range of environments. Several major genes controlling flowering time have been identified in wheat with mutant alleles having sequence changes such as insertions, deletions or point mutations. We investigated genetic variants in commercial varieties of wheat that regulate flowering by altering photoperiod response (Ppd-B1 alleles) or vernalization requirement (Vrn-A1 alleles) and for which no candidate mutation was found within the gene sequence. Genetic and genomic approaches showed that in both cases alleles conferring altered flowering time had an increased copy number of the gene and altered gene expression. Alleles with an increased copy number of Ppd-B1 confer an early flowering day neutral phenotype and have arisen independently at least twice. Plants with an increased copy number of Vrn-A1 have an increased requirement for vernalization so that longer periods of cold are required to potentiate flowering. The results suggest that copy number variation (CNV) plays a significant role in wheat adaptation

Electron spectrometer for electric monopole (E0) transition studies in nuclei

The study of electric monopole (E0) transitions between two 0+ states is important because the monopole strength carries vital information about the nuclear structure due to its direct link with the mean squared charge radius r2 and quadrupole deformation parameter β. Therefore, the measurement of internal conversion electrons (ICE) or internal pair formation (IPF) is crucial for E0 transition studies. Transitions between 0+ states do not change angular momentum. Hence, single-photon emission is forbidden, but can decay by conversion electrons or pair formation and two-photon emission which is mostly negligible. In order to implement E0 studies at iThemba LABS, an electron spectrometer that uses a solenoidal magnetic field acting as a lens and a Si(Li) detector has been refurbished and characterized using calibration sources of ICE. Figures of merit have been extracted and compared with simulations. The spectrometer coupled with an array of LaBr3:Ce detectors and Low Energy Photon Spectrometers (LEPS) was successfully implemented for in-beam experiments. Measurements of internal conversion coefficients (ICC) and monopole strengths extracted from in-beam measurements of 72As, 72Ge, and 72Se are presented

New collective structures in the

The 152Sm(16O, 5n)163Yb reaction at a beam energy of 93 MeV was used to study the excited states of 163Yb with the AFRODITE $\gamma$-ray spectrometer at iThemba LABS. The level scheme of 163Yb has been extended and new rotational bands established. The band based on the ground-state has been extended from a spin of 11/2- to spin 43/2-. A high-K band based on the neutron [505]11/2- Nilsson orbital has been observed and is reported for the first time in this work. Additional new states in 163Yb were observed which all decay to the yrast band. Some of these states are placed in a sequence which is conjectured to be a $\gamma$ band involving a coupling with the i 13/2[642]5/2+ neutron orbital. The band structures are discussed with reference to Cranked Shell Model (CSM) calculations and a systematic comparison with the neighbouring nuclei

Nuclear level densities and γ\gamma-ray strength functions of 87Kr^{87}\mathrm{Kr} -- First application of the Oslo Method in inverse kinematics

The $\gamma$-ray strength function ($\gamma$SF) and nuclear level density (NLD) have been extracted for the first time from inverse kinematic reactions with the Oslo Method. This novel technique allows measurements of these properties across a wide range of previously inaccessible nuclei. Proton-$\gamma$ coincidence events from the $\mathrm{d}(^{86}\mathrm{Kr}, \mathrm{p}\gamma)^{87}\mathrm{Kr}$ reaction were measured at iThemba LABS and the $\gamma$SF and NLD in $^{87}\mathrm{Kr}$ obtained. The low-energy region of the $\gamma$SF is compared to Shell Model calculations which suggest this region to be dominated by M1 strength. The $\gamma$SF and NLD are used as input parameters to Hauser-Feshbach calculations to constrain $(\mathrm{n},\gamma)$ cross sections of nuclei using the TALYS reaction code. These results are compared to $^{86}\mathrm{Kr}(n,\gamma)$ data from direct measurements

First application of the Oslo method in inverse kinematics

International audienceThe $\gamma$-ray strength function ($\gamma$SF) and nuclear level density (NLD) have been extracted for the first time from inverse kinematic reactions with the Oslo method. This novel technique allows measurements of these properties across a wide range of previously inaccessible nuclei. Proton–$\gamma$ coincidence events from the $\mathrm {d}(^{86}\mathrm {Kr}, \mathrm {p}\gamma )^{87}\mathrm {Kr}$ reaction were measured at iThemba LABS and the $\gamma$SF and NLD in $^{87}\mathrm {Kr}$ was obtained. The low-energy region of the $\gamma$SF is compared to shell-model calculations, which suggest this region to be dominated by M1 strength. The $\gamma$SF and NLD are used as input parameters to Hauser–Feshbach calculations to constrain $(\mathrm {n},\gamma )$ cross sections of nuclei using the TALYS reaction code. These results are compared to $^{86}\mathrm {Kr}(n,\gamma )$ data from direct measurements

Low- And medium-spin negative-parity bands in the Os 187 nucleus

Low- and medium-spin negative-parity bands of Os187 have been studied using the AFRican Omnipurpose Detector for Innovative Techniques and Experiments (AFRODITE) array, following the W186(He4,3n)Os187 reaction at a beam energy of 37 MeV. In the current work, all the previously known bands have been significantly extended and three new bands have been added to the level scheme. The angular distribution ratio (RAD) and polarization measurements have been used to assign spin and parity to the observed new levels. The configurations of some of the bands have been modified. The observed bands are interpreted within the cranked shell model (CSM) and cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky-Bogoliubov (CNSB) formalism. Comparison with experimental data shows good agreements. Systematic comparison with the neighboring Os185 isotope is also discussed

Signature splitting of the g7/2[404]7/2+{g}_{7/2}[404]{7/2}^{+} bands in 131Ba^{131}\mathrm{Ba} and 133Ce^{133}\mathrm{Ce}

International audienceExcited states in Ba131 and Ce133 were studied using in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy through the Sn122(C13,4n)Ba131 and Te125(C12,4n)Ce133 reactions, respectively. A strongly coupled band, associated with the νg7/2[404]7/2+ configuration, was identified in Ba131 and Ce133. It is the first time to observe the νg7/2[404]7/2+ bands in the N=75 isotones. The signature partners exhibit considerable energy splitting in comparison with those in the πg7/2[404]7/2+ bands in the odd-A Ta and Re isotopes. Extensive cranked shell model and quasiparticle-plus-triaxial-rotor model calculations reveal the origin of the signature splitting, which depends not only on the triaxiality, but also on the configuration mixing with nearby low-j orbitals