Accelerating the Reduction of Excess Russian Highly Enriched Uranium (open access)

Accelerating the Reduction of Excess Russian Highly Enriched Uranium

This paper presents the latest information on one of the Accelerated Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) Disposition initiatives that resulted from the May 2002 Summit meeting between Presidents George W. Bush and Vladimir V. Putin. These initiatives are meant to strengthen nuclear nonproliferation objectives by accelerating the disposition of nuclear weapons-useable materials. The HEU Transparency Implementation Program (TIP), within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is working to implement one of the selected initiatives that would purchase excess Russian HEU (93% 235U) for use as fuel in U.S. research reactors over the next ten years. This will parallel efforts to convert the reactors' fuel core from HEU to low enriched uranium (LEU) material, where feasible. The paper will examine important aspects associated with the U.S. research reactor HEU purchase. In particular: (1) the establishment of specifications for the Russian HEU, and (2) transportation safeguard considerations for moving the HEU from the Mayak Production Facility in Ozersk, Russia, to the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, TN.
Date: February 18, 2004
Creator: Benton, J; Wall, D; Parker, E & Rutkowski, E
System: The UNT Digital Library
An adaptive radiation model for the origin of new genefunctions (open access)

An adaptive radiation model for the origin of new genefunctions

The evolution of new gene functions is one of the keys to evolutionary innovation. Most novel functions result from gene duplication followed by divergence. However, the models hitherto proposed to account for this process are not fully satisfactory. The classic model of neofunctionalization holds that the two paralogous gene copies resulting from a duplication are functionally redundant, such that one of them can evolve under no functional constraints and occasionally acquire a new function. This model lacks a convincing mechanism for the new gene copies to increase in frequency in the population and survive the mutational load expected to accumulate under neutrality, before the acquisition of the rare beneficial mutations that would confer new functionality. The subfunctionalization model has been proposed as an alternative way to generate genes with altered functions. This model also assumes that new paralogous gene copies are functionally redundant and therefore neutral, but it predicts that relaxed selection will affect both gene copies such that some of the capabilities of the parent gene will disappear in one of the copies and be retained in the other. Thus, the functions originally present in a single gene will be partitioned between the two descendant copies. However, although this …
Date: October 18, 2004
Creator: Francino, M. Pilar
System: The UNT Digital Library
Antiferromagnetism in Pr3In: Singlet/triplet physics withfrustration (open access)

Antiferromagnetism in Pr3In: Singlet/triplet physics withfrustration

We present neutron diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat data for a single-crystal sample of the cubic (Cu{sub 3}Au structure) compound Pr{sub 3}In. This compound is believed to have a singlet ({Lambda}{sub 1}) groundstate and a low-lying triplet ({Lambda}{sub 4}) excited state. In addition, nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic interactions are frustrated in this structure. Antiferromagnetic order occurs below T{sub N} = 12K with propagation vector (0, 0, 0.5 {center_dot}{delta}) where {delta} {approx} 1/12. The neutron diffraction results can be approximated with the following model: ferromagnetic sheets from each of the three Pr sites alternate in sign along the propagation direction with a twelve-unit-cell square-wave modulation. The three moments of the unit cell of 1 {micro}{sub B} magnitude are aligned so as to sum to zero as expected for nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic interactions on a triangle. The magnetic susceptibility indicates that in addition to the antiferromagnetic transition at 12K, there is a transition near 70K below which there is a small (0.005 {micro}{sub B}) ferromagnetic moment. There is considerable field and sample dependence to these transitions. The specific heat data show almost no anomaly at T{sub N} = 12K. This may be a consequence of the induced moment in the {Lambda}{sub 1} singlet, but …
Date: November 18, 2004
Creator: Christianson, A. D.; Lawrence, J. M.; Zarestky, J. L.; Suzuki, H.; Thompson, J. D.; Hundley, M. F. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Application of the Extended Pairing Model to Heavy Isotopes (open access)

Application of the Extended Pairing Model to Heavy Isotopes

None
Date: October 18, 2004
Creator: Gueorguiev, V G; Pan, F & Draayer, J P
System: The UNT Digital Library
Assessment of the Poloidal Distribution of Core Plasma Fueling and Impurity Sources in DIII-D (open access)

Assessment of the Poloidal Distribution of Core Plasma Fueling and Impurity Sources in DIII-D

Measurements and modeling of the 2D poloidal D{sub {alpha}} intensity distribution in DIII-D low density L-mode and medium density ELMy H-mode plasmas indicate that the core plasma is predominately fueled near the divertor x-point region. The neutral hydrogen and ion carbon emission were measured in the divertor and inner main chamber scrape-off layer (SOL) using a plasma imaging technique, covering 85% of the poloidal cross-section. Typically, the peak emission in the inner main SOL at the tokamak midplane was three orders of magnitude lower than in the divertor. For discharges with the ion Bx{del}B drift direction toward the lower divertor the UEDGE/DEGAS codes predict strong core plasma fueling from the significantly higher density and lower temperature plasma calculated in the inner divertor leg. The concomitant carbon ion flow reversal in the inner divertor leg enhances the leakage of carbon from the divertor into the main SOL, and hence into the core.
Date: May 18, 2004
Creator: Groth, M.; Owen, L.; Porter, G.; Brooks, N.; Fenstermacher, M.; Meyer, W. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Autonomous Pathogen Detection System (open access)

Autonomous Pathogen Detection System

None
Date: February 18, 2004
Creator: Hindson, Benjamin; McBride, Mary; Makarewicz, Anthony; Henderer, Bruce; Sathyam, Ujwal; Nasarabadi, Shanavaz et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
B Physics at CDF (open access)

B Physics at CDF

Due to the large b{bar b} cross section at 1.96 TeV p - {bar p} collisions, the Tevatron is currently the most copious source of B hadrons. Recent detector upgrades for Run II have made these more accessible, allowing for a wide range of B and C/P physics with B hadrons of all flavours. In this paper we present B-physics results, and, using the versatile hadronic Two Track Trigger, a search for {Xi}(1860), from up to 240 pb{sup -1} of data.
Date: June 18, 2004
Creator: Rademacker, J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Beyond the standard model working group: Summary report (open access)

The Beyond the standard model working group: Summary report

In this working group we have investigated a number of aspects of searches for new physics beyond the Standard Model (SM) at the running or planned TeV-scale colliders. For the most part, we have considered hadron colliders, as they will define particle physics at the energy frontier for the next ten years at least. The variety of models for Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) physics has grown immensely. It is clear that only future experiments can provide the needed direction to clarify the correct theory. Thus, our focus has been on exploring the extent to which hadron colliders can discover and study BSM physics in various models. We have placed special emphasis on scenarios in which the new signal might be difficult to find or of a very unexpected nature. For example, in the context of supersymmetry (SUSY), we have considered: how to make fully precise predictions for the Higgs bosons as well as the superparticles of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) (parts III and IV); MSSM scenarios in which most or all SUSY particles have rather large masses (parts V and VI); the ability to sort out the many parameters of the MSSM using a variety of signals …
Date: March 18, 2004
Creator: al., G. Azuelos et
System: The UNT Digital Library
Co2 geological sequestration (open access)

Co2 geological sequestration

Human activities are increasingly altering the Earth's climate. A particular concern is that atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) may be rising fast because of increased industrialization. CO{sub 2} is a so-called ''greenhouse gas'' that traps infrared radiation and may contribute to global warming. Scientists project that greenhouse gases such as CO{sub 2} will make the arctic warmer, which would melt glaciers and raise sea levels. Evidence suggests that climate change may already have begun to affect ecosystems and wildlife around the world. Some animal species are moving from one habitat to another to adapt to warmer temperatures. Future warming is likely to exceed the ability of many species to migrate or adjust. Human production of CO{sub 2} from fossil fuels (such as at coal-fired power plants) is not likely to slow down soon. It is urgent to find somewhere besides the atmosphere to put these increased levels of CO{sub 2}. Sequestration in the ocean and in soils and forests are possibilities, but another option, sequestration in geological formations, may also be an important solution. Such formations could include depleted oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, and deep saline aquifers. In many cases, injection of CO2 into a …
Date: November 18, 2004
Creator: Xu, Tianfu
System: The UNT Digital Library
Collective Space-Charge Phenomena in the Source Region (open access)

Collective Space-Charge Phenomena in the Source Region

For many devices space-charge-dominated behavior, including the excitation of space-charge collective modes, can occur in the source region, even when the downstream characteristics are not space-charge-dominated. Furthermore, these modes can remain undamped for many focusing periods. Traditional studies of the source region in particle beam systems have emphasized the behavior of averaged beam characteristics, such as total current, rms beam size, or emittance, rather than the details of the full beam distribution function that are necessary to predict the excitation of collective modes. A primary tool for understanding the detailed evolution of a space-charge dominated beam in the source region has been the use of simulation in concert with detailed experimental measurement. However, ''first-principle'' simulations beginning from the emitter surface have often displayed substantial differences from what is measured. This is believed to result from sensitivities in the beam dynamics to small changes in the mechanical characteristics of the gun structure, as well as to similar sensitivities in the numerical methods. Simulations of the beam in the source region using the particle-in-cell WARP code and comparisons to experimental measurements at the University of Maryland are presented to illustrate the complexity in beam characteristics that can occur in the source region. …
Date: September 18, 2004
Creator: Haber, I.; Bernal, S.; Celata, C. M.; Friedman, A.; Grote, D. P.; Kishek, R. A. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Compact neutron generator developement and applications (open access)

Compact neutron generator developement and applications

The Plasma and Ion Source Technology Group at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has been engaging in the development of high yield compact neutron generators for the last ten years. Because neutrons in these generators are formed by using either D-D, T-T or D-T fusion reaction, one can produce either mono-energetic (2.4 MeV or 14 MeV) or white neutrons. All the neutron generators being developed by our group utilize 13.5 MHz RF induction discharge to produce a pure deuterium or a mixture of deuterium-tritium plasma. As a result, ion beams with high current density and almost pure atomic ions can be extracted from the plasma source. The ion beams are accelerated to {approx}100 keV and neutrons are produced when the beams impinge on a titanium target. Neutron generators with different configurations and sizes have been designed and tested at LBNL. Their applications include neutron activation analysis, oil-well logging, boron neutron capture therapy, brachytherapy, cargo and luggage screening. A novel small point neutron source has recently been developed for radiography application. The source size can be 2 mm or less, making it possible to examine objects with sharper images. The performance of these neutron generators will be described in this paper.
Date: January 18, 2004
Creator: Leung, Ka-Ngo; Reijonen, Jani; Gicquel, Frederic; Hahto, Sami & Lou, Tak-Pui
System: The UNT Digital Library
Conference Paper NFO-7:7th International Conference on Near-Field Optics and Related Technologies (open access)

Conference Paper NFO-7:7th International Conference on Near-Field Optics and Related Technologies

The seventh conference in the NFO conference series, held here in Rochester, provided to be the principal forum for advances in sub-wavelength optics, near-field optical microscopy, local field enhancement, instrumental developments and the ever-increasing range of applications. This conference brought together the diverse scientific communities working on the theory and application of near-field optics (NFO) and related techniques.
Date: October 18, 2004
Creator: Novotny, Prof.Dr. Lukas
System: The UNT Digital Library
Corrosion Behavior of Titanium Grade 7 in Fluoride-Containing NaCl Brines (open access)

Corrosion Behavior of Titanium Grade 7 in Fluoride-Containing NaCl Brines

Titanium Grade 7 (UNS R52400) is a titanium-based alloy with 0.12-0.25% Pd. The addition of the small amount of palladium is to ennoble the corrosion potential of Ti, thus improving the corrosion resistance of titanium in reducing environments. In most aqueous environments, Ti and Ti alloys demonstrate excellent corrosion resistance due to the protective oxide film that forms spontaneously and remains stable on the surface. However, Ti and Ti alloys are susceptible to corrosion in fluoride-containing environments due to the formation of complexes such as TiF{sub 6}{sup 2-} and TiF{sub 6}{sup 3-}, which are stable and soluble in electrolyte solutions. Without the presence of fluoride, only slight effects from [Cl{sup -}], pH and temperature have been reported [1]. It has been reported that the kinetics of passive corrosion of titanium in neutral solutions and controlled by the migration of the defects in the oxide across the surface film [2]. Thus, the increase in thickness and improvement in film properties, by thermal oxidation, would lead to a significant decrease in the susceptibility to film breakdown and in the passive corrosion rate. This report summarizes recent experiment results in studies of the environmental influence on the corrosion behavior of Titanium Grade 7 …
Date: May 18, 2004
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Crystal Level Continuum Modeling of Phase Transformations: The (alpha) <--> (epsilon) Transformation in Iron (open access)

Crystal Level Continuum Modeling of Phase Transformations: The (alpha) <--> (epsilon) Transformation in Iron

We present a crystal level model for thermo-mechanical deformation with phase transformation capabilities. The model is formulated to allow for large pressures (on the order of the elastic moduli) and makes use of a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient. Elastic and thermal lattice distortions are combined into a single lattice stretch to allow the model to be used in conjunction with general equation of state relationships. Phase transformations change the mass fractions of the material constituents. The driving force for phase transformations includes terms arising from mechanical work, from the temperature dependent chemical free energy change on transformation, and from interaction energy among the constituents. Deformation results from both these phase transformations and elasto-viscoplastic deformation of the constituents themselves. Simulation results are given for the {alpha} to {epsilon} phase transformation in iron. Results include simulations of shock induced transformation in single crystals and of compression of polycrystals. Results are compared to available experimental data.
Date: October 18, 2004
Creator: Barton, N R; Benson, D J; Becker, R; Bykov, Y & Caplan, M
System: The UNT Digital Library
Design, Simulation and Testing of a Precision Alignment Frame for the Next Linear Collider (open access)

Design, Simulation and Testing of a Precision Alignment Frame for the Next Linear Collider

An alignment frame is developed to support 3 Beam Position Monitors (BPM's) for detecting and ultimately aligning the electron beam from a linear accelerator. This report discusses the design details, preliminary modal analysis of the alignment frame as well as the addition of a metrology frame in the final phase of development.
Date: June 18, 2004
Creator: Fitsos, P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development of Burning Plasma and Advanced Scenarios in the DIII-D Tokamak (open access)

Development of Burning Plasma and Advanced Scenarios in the DIII-D Tokamak

Significant progress in the development of burning plasma scenarios, steady-state scenarios at high fusion performance, and basic tokamak physics has been made by the DIII-D Team. Discharges similar to the ITER baseline scenario have demonstrated normalized fusion performance nearly 50% higher than required for Q = 10 in ITER, under stationary conditions. Discharges that extrapolate to Q {approx} 10 for longer than one hour in ITER at reduced current have also been demonstrated in DIII-D under stationary conditions. Proof of high fusion performance with full noninductive operation has been obtained. Underlying this work are studies validating approaches to confinement extrapolation, disruption avoidance and mitigation, tritium retention, ELM avoidance, and operation above the no-wall pressure limit. In addition, the unique capabilities of the DIII-D facility have advanced studies of the sawtooth instability with unprecedented time and space resolution, threshold behavior in the electron heat transport, and rotation in plasmas in the absence of external torque.
Date: October 18, 2004
Creator: Luce, T C
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Distributed Activation Energy Model of Thermodynamically Inhibited Nucleation and Growth Reactions and its Application to the beta-delta Phase Transition of HMX (open access)

A Distributed Activation Energy Model of Thermodynamically Inhibited Nucleation and Growth Reactions and its Application to the beta-delta Phase Transition of HMX

Detailed and global models are presented for thermodynamically inhibited nucleation-growth reactions and applied to the {beta}-{delta} Phase Transition of HMX (nitramine octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine). The detailed model contains separate kinetic parameters for the nucleation process, including an activation energy distribution resulting from a distribution of defect energies, and for movement of the resulting reaction interface within a single particle. A thermodynamic inhibition term is added to both processes so that the rates go to zero at the transition temperature. The global model adds the thermodynamic inhibition term to the extended Prout-Tompkins nucleation-growth formalism for single particles or powders. Model parameters are calibrated from differential scanning calorimetry data. The activation energy for nucleation (333 kJ/mol) is substantially higher than that for growth (29.3 kJ/mol). Use of a small activation energy distribution ({approx}400 J/mol) for the defects improves the fit to a powered sample for both the early and late stages of the transition. The effective overall activation energy for the global model (208.8 kJ/mol) is in between that of nucleation and growth. Comparison of the two models with experiment indicates the thermodynamic inhibition term is more important than the energy distribution feature for this transition. Based on the applicability of the Prout-Tompkins kinetics …
Date: June 18, 2004
Creator: Burnham, A K; Weese, R K & Weeks, B L
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dose-dependent misrejoining of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks in human fibroblasts: Experimental and theoretical study for high and low LET radiation (open access)

Dose-dependent misrejoining of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks in human fibroblasts: Experimental and theoretical study for high and low LET radiation

Misrejoining of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) was measured in human primary fibroblasts after exposure to X-rays and high LET particles (He, N and Fe) in the dose range 10-80 Gy. To measure joining of wrong DNA ends, the integrity of a 3.2 Mbp restriction fragment was analyzed directly after exposure and after 16 hr of repair incubation. It was found that the misrejoining frequency for X-rays was non-linearly related to dose, with less probability of misrejoining at low doses than at high doses. The dose dependence for the high LET particles, on the other hand, was closer to being linear, with misrejoining frequencies higher than for X-rays particularly at the lower doses. These experimental results were simulated with a Monte-Carlo approach that includes a cell nucleus model with all 46 chromosomes present, combined with realistic track structure simulations to calculate the geometrical positions of all DSBs induced for each dose. The model assumes that the main determinant for misrejoining probability is the distance between two simultaneously present DSBs. With a Gaussian interaction probability function with distance, it was found that both the low and high LET data could be fitted with an interaction distance (sigma of the Gaussian curve) of …
Date: November 18, 2004
Creator: Rydberg, Bjorn; Cooper, Brian; Cooper, Priscilla K.; Holley, William & Chatterjee, Aloke
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dosimetry of the 198Au Source used in Interstitial Brachytherapy (open access)

Dosimetry of the 198Au Source used in Interstitial Brachytherapy

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 43 report, AAPM TG-43, provides an analytical model and a dosimetry protocol for brachytherapy dose calculations, as well as documentation and results for some sealed sources. The radionuclide {sup 198}Au (T{sub 1/2} = 2.70 days, E{gamma} = 412 keV) has been used in the form of seeds for brachytherapy treatments including brain, eye, and prostate tumors. However, the TG-43 report has no data for {sup 198}Au seeds, and none have previously been obtained. For that reason, and because of the conversion of most treatment planning systems to TG-43 based methods, both Monte Carlo calculations (MCNP 4C) and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) are used in this work to determine these data. The geometric variation in dose is measured using an array of TLDs in a solid water phantom, and the seed activity is determined using both a well ion chamber and a High Purity Germanium detector (HPGe). The results for air kerma strength, S{sub k}, per unit apparent activity, are 2.06 (MCNP) and 2.09 (measured) U mCi{sup -1}. The former is identical to what was published in 1991 in the AAPM Task Group 32 report. The dose rate constant results, {Lambda}, are 1.12 …
Date: May 18, 2004
Creator: Dauffy, L; Braby, L & Berner, B
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effect of B-Field Dependent Particle Drifts on ELM Behavior in the DIII-D Boundary Plasma (open access)

Effect of B-Field Dependent Particle Drifts on ELM Behavior in the DIII-D Boundary Plasma

ELM effects in the DIII-D pedestal and boundary plasmas were measured with multiple fast diagnostics in matched, lower single null, ELMing H-mode discharges with the ion Bx{gradient}B drift toward and away from the divertor. Data show a strong dependence of the delay in inner vs. outer divertor ELM D{sub alpha} emission on drift direction, and a weaker drift dependence of the inner vs. outer delay of the total radiated power, in addition to the strong density dependence seen in previous work [1]. Time dependent modeling of the boundary plasma during an ELM was done with the UEDGE code including a six-species fluid carbon model and the effect of B-field induced particle drifts [2]. The ELM perturbation was modeled as an instantaneous, outer midplane peaked, increase of diffusion coefficients from the top of the pedestal to the outer SOL. The simulations show delays in the ELM perturbation at the inner vs. outer divertor targets that are similar to the measured delays.
Date: May 18, 2004
Creator: Fenstermacher, M.; Leonard, A.; Porter, G.; Boedo, J.; Brooks, N.; Groth, M. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effects of the Electron Energy Distribution Function on Line and Continuum Emission (open access)

Effects of the Electron Energy Distribution Function on Line and Continuum Emission

Effects of suprathermal (''hot'') electrons on the predictions of K- and L-shell non-LTE collisional-radiative atomic kinetics models are presented through an investigation of various electron distribution functions (EDFs) on collisional rates and spectra. It is shown that while most collisional rates are fairly insensitive to the functional form and characteristic energy of the hot electrons as long as their characteristic energy is larger than the threshold energy for the collisional process, collisional excitation and ionization rates are highly sensitive to the fraction of hot electrons. This permits the development of robust spectroscopic diagnostics that can be used to detect the presence of hot electrons from x-ray line emission spectra. Hot electrons are shown to increase and spread out plasma charge state distributions, amplify the intensities of emission lines fed by direct collisional excitation and radiative cascades, and alter the structure of satellite and EUV line emission features. The characteristic energy, functional form, and spatial properties of hot electron distributions in plasmas are open to characterization through their effects on high-energy continuum emission and on the polarization of spectral lines.
Date: March 18, 2004
Creator: Hansen, S. B. & Shlyaptseva, A. S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Electronic Properties of Carbon at Extreme Conditions from ab Initio Simulations (open access)

Electronic Properties of Carbon at Extreme Conditions from ab Initio Simulations

None
Date: March 18, 2004
Creator: Correa, A; Bonev, S; Galli, G & Falcone, R
System: The UNT Digital Library
Evaluation of an Urban Canopy Parameterization in a Mesoscale Model (open access)

Evaluation of an Urban Canopy Parameterization in a Mesoscale Model

A modified urban canopy parameterization (UCP) is developed and evaluated in a three-dimensional mesoscale model to assess the urban impact on surface and lower atmospheric properties. This parameterization accounts for the effects of building drag, turbulent production, radiation balance, anthropogenic heating, and building rooftop heating/cooling. USGS land-use data are also utilized to derive urban infrastructure and urban surface properties needed for driving the UCP. An intensive observational period with clear-sky, strong ambient wind and drainage flow, and the absence of land-lake breeze over the Salt Lake Valley, occurring on 25-26 October 2000, is selected for this study. A series of sensitivity experiments are performed to gain understanding of the urban impact in the mesoscale model. Results indicate that within the selected urban environment, urban surface characteristics and anthropogenic heating play little role in the formation of the modeled nocturnal urban boundary layer. The rooftop effect appears to be the main contributor to this urban boundary layer. Sensitivity experiments also show that for this weak urban heat island case, the model horizontal grid resolution is important in simulating the elevated inversion layer. The root mean square errors of the predicted wind and temperature with respect to surface station measurements exhibit substantially …
Date: March 18, 2004
Creator: Chin, H. S.; Leach, M. J.; Sugiyama, G. A.; Leone, J. M. Jr.; Walker, H.; Nasstrom, J. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Evidence for a Proton Transfer Network and a Required Persulfide-Bond-Forming Cysteine Residue in Ni-Containing Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenases (open access)

Evidence for a Proton Transfer Network and a Required Persulfide-Bond-Forming Cysteine Residue in Ni-Containing Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenases

OAK-B135 Carbon monoxide dehydrogenase from Moorella thermoacetica catalyzes the reversible oxidation of CO to CO2 at a nickel-iron-sulfur active-site called the C-cluster. Mutants of a proposed proton transfer pathway and of a cysteine residue recently found to form a persulfide bond with the C-cluster were characterized. Four semi-conserved histidine residues were individually mutated to alanine. His116 and His122 were essential to catalysis, while His113 and His119 attenuated catalysis but were not essential. Significant activity was ''rescued'' by a double mutant where His116 was replaced by Ala and His was also introduced at position 115. Activity was also rescued in double mutants where His122 was replaced by Ala and His was simultaneously introduced at either position 121 or 123. Activity was also ''rescued'' by replacing His with Cys at position 116. Mutation of conserved Lys587 near the C-cluster attenuated activity but did not eliminate it. Activity was virtually abolished in a double mutant where Lys587 and His113 were both changed to Ala. Mutations of conserved Asn284 also attenuated activity. These effects suggest the presence of a network of amino acid residues responsible for proton transfer rather than a single linear pathway. The Ser mutant of the persulfide-forming Cys316 was essentially inactive …
Date: May 18, 2004
Creator: Kim, Eun Jin; Feng, Jian; Bramlett, Matthew R. & Lindahl, Paul A.
System: The UNT Digital Library