Boron Isotope Fractionation in Bell Pepper

Various plant compartments of a single bell pepper plant were studied to verify the variability of boron isotope composition in plants and to identify possible intra-plant isotope fractionation. Boron mass fractions varied from 9.8 mg/kg in the fruits to 70.0 mg/kg in the leaves. Boron (B) isotope ratios reported as δ11B ranged from -11.0‰ to +16.0‰ (U ≤ 1.9‰, k=2) and showed a distinct trend to heavier δ11B values the higher the plant compartments were located in the plant. A fractionation of Δ11Bleaf-roots = 27‰ existed in the studied bell pepper plant, which represents about 1/3 of the overall natural boron isotope variation (ca. 80‰). Two simultaneous operating processes are a possible explanation for the observed systematic intra-plant δ11B variation: 1) B is fixed in cell walls in its tetrahedral form (borate), which preferentially incorporates the light B isotope and the remaining xylem sap gets enriched in the heavy B isotope and 2) certain transporter preferentially transport the trigonal 11B-enriched boric acid molecule and thereby the heavy 11B towards young plant compartments which were situated distal of the roots and typically high in the plant. Consequently, an enrichment of the heavy 11B isotope in the upper young plant parts located at the top of the plant could explain the observed isotope systematic. The identification and understanding of the processes generating systematic intra-plant δ11B variations will potentially enable the use of B isotope for plant metabolism studies

From machine drawings to model-based collaborative virtual engineering

Real-time interactive collaboration is key to the success of organisations providing customised products/services to clients. This is especially the case when managers and engineers are on the move and need to communicate with and access data from not only the head office, but from other partners and clients engaged in the definition, development, delivery, or maintenance of the product/service. This paper introduces model-based collaborative virtual engineering supported through a model server as a paradigm shift from simple drawings and phone call based collaboration. The case of a textile machine manufacturing SME is presented from the perspective of three main business scenarios covering manager on a business trip, engineer on remote site, and virtual team collaboration. These scenarios are realised through the intuitive use of the CoVES model server, hybrid model, and integrated messaging concepts