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At least 343 records · Page 19

Hydrogen density mapping in biomolecular crystals through dynamic nuclear polarization

Many fundamental biological processes, including those in photosynthetic reaction centers and enzyme active sites, involve charge and energy transfer, bond cleavage, protonation and hydrogen bonding. Because H atoms play such central roles in these reactions, accurately determining their positions is essential. Yet, conventional X-ray crystallography primarily resolves the heavy atoms in biological structures and provides limited insight into hydrogen, even at atomic resolution. Neutron macromolecular crystallography (NMC) overcomes this limitation by offering exceptional sensitivity to hydrogen and deuterium. Here, we present a theoretical framework for the development of dynamic nuclear polarization NMC (DNP-NMC) techniques, which exploit the alignment of neutron and proton nuclear spins to enhance and tune the hydrogen signal contribution. The DNP-NMC approach advances the resolution of H atoms within biomolecular crystals, whether bound to protein residues or present in solvent. The method establishes key relationships for the coherent structure factor of polarized neutron scattering from hydrogenous matter. It theoretically achieves full accuracy in phase reconstruction and offers a path to improve neutron structure determination, achieving accuracies exceeding ≳80% by incorporating titration states. Using a variant of the hybrid input/output phase-retrieval algorithm, it allows recovery of the hydrogen density with ≳90% phase accuracy. In conclusion, we further discuss sources of experimental uncertainty for the upcoming DNP-enabled, quasi-Laue IMAGINE-X experiment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's High Flux Isotope Reactor.

dynamic nuclear polarization↗

Solving the one-dimensional penetration problem for the fission channel in the statistical Hauser-Feshbach theory

Here we solve the Schrödinger equation for an arbitrary one-dimensional potential energy to calculate the transmission coefficient in the fission channel of compound nucleus reactions. We incorporate the calculated transmission coefficients into the statistical Hauser-Feshbach model calculation for neutron-induced reactions on 235,238 U and 239 Pu. The one-dimensional model reproduces the evaluated fission cross section data reasonably well considering the limited number of model parameters involved. A resonance-like structure appears in the transmission coefficient for a double-humped fission barrier shape that includes an intermediate well, which is understood to be a quantum mechanical effect in the fission channel. The calculated fission cross sections for the neutron-induced reactions on 235,238 U and 239 Pu all exhibit a similar structure.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Quantum Sensing of Electron Transfer Pathways in Natural Photosynthesis Using Time-Resolved High-Field Electron Paramagnetic Resonance/Electron–Nuclear Double Resonance Spectroscopy

Photosynthetic integral membrane reaction center (RC) proteins capture and convert sunlight into chemical energy via efficient charge separation achieved through a series of rapid, photoinitiated electron transfer steps. These fast electron transfers create an entangled spin qubit (radical) pair that contains detailed information about the weak magnetic interactions, structure, and dynamics of localized protein environments involved in charge separation events. In this work, we investigate how these entangled electron spin qubits interact with nuclear spins of the protein environment using the high spectral resolution of 130 GHz electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR). Spectroscopic interrogation enabled the observation and probing of protons located in the electron transfer pathway between the membrane-spanning electron pair P + Q A - (where P + is the primary donor, a special pair of bacteriochlorophylls, and Q A is the primary quinone acceptor) in the bacterial RC. Spectroscopic analysis reveals hydrogen-bonding interactions involved in regulating the route that light-induced electrons travel through the RC protein during charge separation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Picosecond lifetime measurements of resonances using a thick-target invariant-mass technique

Here, a new technique is presented for measuring the half-lives of resonances in the picosecond range using presently available invariant-mass apparatus and a thick target. For short-lived resonances, the energy losses of the decay fragments in the target material change their relative velocities giving rise to a poor invariant-mass resolution. However, for longer-lived resonances that travel through the remaining target material before decaying outside of the target, this dominant contribution to the resolution is eliminated. The measured invariant-mass peak will then display a narrow peak from these events which sits on a wider structure associated with the remaining events that decay in the target. The fraction of the events in the narrow peak is related to the probability that the resonance leaves the target before decaying and hence is related to the lifetime. This technique is exercised for the 2.685-MeV resonance in 33 Cl which decays by emitting an f -wave proton. A half-life of T 1/2 =5.7$^{+4.1}_{-2.5}$ ps was measured which is consistent with values inferred from other known properties of this resonance.

lifetimes & widths↗

Synthesis and Characterization of Copolymers and Nanocomposites from Limonene, Styrene and Organomodified-Clay Using Ultrasonic Assisted Method

In the present work, we report a simple synthesis method for preparation of copolymers and nanocomposites from limonene and styrene using clay as a catalyst. The copolymerization reaction is carried out by using a proton exchanged clay as a catalyst called Mag-H+. The effect of temperature, reaction time and amount of catalyst were studied, and the obtained copolymer structure (lim-co-sty) is characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The molecular weight of the obtained copolymer is determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and is about 4500 g·mol−1. The (lim-co-sty/Mag 1%, 3%, 7% and 10% by weight of clay) nanocomposites were prepared through polymer/clay mixture in solution method using ultrasonic irradiation, in the presence of Mag-CTA+ as green nano-reinforcing filler. The Mag-CTA+ is organophilic silicate clay prepared through a direct exchange process, using cetyltrimethylammonuim bromide (CTAB). The prepared lim-co-sty/Mag nanocomposites have been extensively characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). TEM analysis confirms the results obtained by XRD and clearly show that the obtained nanocomposites are partially exfoliated for the lower amount of clay (1% and 3% wt) and intercalated for higher amounts of clay (7% and 10% wt). Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated an enhancement of thermal stability of nanocomposites compared with the pure copolymer.

Derdar, Hodhaifa↗

Fundamental space radiobiology

The unique feature of the space radiation environment is the dominance of high-energy charged particles (HZE or high LET radiation) emitted by the Sun and galactic sources, or trapped in the Van Allen radiation belts. These charged particles present a significant hazard to space flight crews, and accelerator-based experiments are underway to quantify the health risks due to unavoidable radiation exposure. There are three principal properties of charged particles that distinguish them from conventional radiation, i.e. gamma rays and x-rays. First, they have a defined range in matter rather than an exponential absorption profile. Second, they undergo nuclear reactions to produce secondary particles. Third, and most important, they deposit their energy along well-defined linear paths or tracks rather than diffuse fields. The structured energy deposition pattern interacts on multiple scales with the biological structures of DNA, cells and tissues to produce correlated patterns of damage that evade repair systems. Traditional concepts of dose and its associated normalization parameter, RBE (relative biological effectiveness), break down under experimental scrutiny, and probabilistic models of risk based on the number of particle traversals per cell may be more appropriate. Unique patterns of DNA damage, gene expression, mobilization of repair proteins, activation of cytokines and remodeling of cellular microenvironment are observed following exposure to high LET radiation. At low levels of exposure the communication of bioactive substances from irradiated to unirradiated "bystander" cells can amplify the damage and cause a significant deviation from linearity in dose vs. response relations. Under some circumstances, there is even a multigenerational delay in the expression of radiation-induced genetic damage (genomic instability) which is not strictly dose dependent. These issues and the experimental evidence derived from ground based experiments at particle accelerators are presented along with speculation about how modified inertial conditions might perturb homeostatic responses to radiation to further complicate risk assessment for space flight.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗

Persistence of the Z = 28 shell gap in A = 75 isobars: Identification of a possible ( 1 / 2 – ) μ s isomer in Co 75 and β decay to Ni 75

Here, the evolution of shell structure around doubly magic exotic nuclei is of great interest in nuclear physics and astrophysics. In the ‘southwest’ region of 78 Ni, the development of deformation might trigger a major shift in our understanding of explosive nucleosynthesis. To this end, new spectroscopic information on key close-lying nuclei is very valuable. We intend to measure the isomeric and β decay of 75 Co, with one-proton and two-neutron holes relative to 78Ni, to access new nuclear structure information in 75 Co and its β-decay daughters 75 Ni and 74 Ni. The nucleus 75 Co is produced in relativistic in-flight fission reactions of 238 U at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory in the RIKEN Nishina Center. Its isomeric and β decay are studied exploiting the BigRIPS and EURICA setups. We obtain partial β-decay spectra for 75 Ni and 74 Ni, and report a new isomeric transition in 75 Co. The energy [E γ = 1914(2)keV] and half-life [t 1/2 = 13(6) μs] of the delayed γ ray lend support for the existence of a J π = (1/2 – ) isomeric state at 1914(2) keV. A comparison with PFSDG-U shell-model calculations provides a good account for the observed states in 75 Ni, but the first calculated 1/2 – level in 75 Co, a prolate K = 1/2 state, is predicted about 1 MeV below the observed (1/2 – ) level. The spherical-like structure of the lowest-lying excited states in 75 Ni is proved. In the case of 75 Co, the results suggest that the dominance of the spherical configurations over the deformed ones might be stronger than expected below 78 Ni. Further experimental efforts to discern the nature of the J π = (1/2 – ) isomer are necessary.

59 ≤ A ≤ 89↗

Nuclear Data Sheets for A=214

Here, experimental nuclear structure and decay data are evaluated for all of 12 known nuclides of mass 214 (Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Po, At, Rn, Fr, Ra, Ac, Th, Pa). For each nuclide, detailed evaluated spectroscopic information is presented in each reaction and decay, and the best values combining all available data are recommended for level properties, γ and β radiations, and other spectroscopic properties in the Adopted Levels and Gammas. The present evaluation supersedes the earlier one on A=214 by S.-C. Wu (2009Wu02), published in Nuclear Data Sheets 110, 681 (2009).

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Two-proton decay from α-cluster states in 10 C and 11 N

Two-proton decay from excited states in 10 C and 11 N has been characterized from an analysis of the 2p + 2α and 3p + 2α exit channels. Data from four previously published invariant-mass studies associated with inelastic excitation, multinucleon knockout, and neutron pickup reactions have been considered. A rotational band in 10 C was identified built on the second 0 + state which has strong α-cluster molecular structure. The members of this band were tentatively identified up to J π = 4 + and all identified states have a prompt 2p decay branch. The spins of the 0 + and 2 + members were deduced from comparisons of the momentum correlations in their 2p branches to those from known 2p emitters. The 2 + and the tentative 4 + members are both above the α threshold and exhibit large reduced decay widths for α emission. This band exhibits a similar moment of inertia to its analog in the mirror nucleus 10 Be. Evidence is also presented for a molecular band in 11 N built on the second 3/2 – state which 2p decays. Furthermore, tentative members of this band have been assigned up to J π = 9/2 – and their excitation energies also match their likely analogs in the mirror nucleus 11 Be.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗

Optical control of ultrafast structural dynamics in a fluorescent protein

The photoisomerization reaction of a fluorescent protein chromophore occurs on the ultrafast timescale. The structural dynamics that result from femtosecond optical excitation have contributions from vibrational and electronic processes and from reaction dynamics that involve the crossing through a conical intersection. The creation and progression of the ultrafast structural dynamics strongly depends on optical and molecular parameters. When using X-ray crystallography as a probe of ultrafast dynamics, the origin of the observed nuclear motions is not known. Now, high-resolution pump–probe X-ray crystallography reveals complex sub-ångström, ultrafast motions and hydrogen-bonding rearrangements in the active site of a fluorescent protein. However, we demonstrate that the measured motions are not part of the photoisomerization reaction but instead arise from impulsively driven coherent vibrational processes in the electronic ground state. A coherent-control experiment using a two-colour and two-pulse optical excitation strongly amplifies the X-ray crystallographic difference density, while it fully depletes the photoisomerization process. A coherent control mechanism was tested and confirmed the wave packets assignment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sensitivity Coefficients Calculated for the Prompt Neutron Decay Constant At or Near Delayed Critical

The derivation of a non-invasive prompt neutron decay constant sensitivity coefficient is provided in this work. The computation of the sensitivity coefficient derived in this work does not require modification of Monte Carlo source code and is based on capabilities available in Monte Carlo N-Particle R© Code Version 6.2. The prompt neutron decay constant sensitivity coefficients are calculated for 44-group and 252-group energy structures for specific nuclide-reaction pairs in the Jezebel benchmark experiment. The nuclide-reaction pairs investigated in this work include Pu- 239(n,f), Pu-240(n,f), and Pu-241(n,f). Physical explanations of the sensitivity profiles exhibited by the 252-group energy structure are investigated for the prompt neutron multiplication factor, mean neutron lifetime, and prompt neutron decay constant. The prompt neutron decay constant sensitivity coefficients calculated for the 44-group and 252-group energy structure of Pu-239(n,f) are compared. Lastly, the 44-group energy structure sensitivity coefficients calculated are used for nuclear-data induced uncertainty quantification of the neutron multiplication factor. This work shows that a reduction in the nuclear data-induced uncertainty of the neutron multiplication factor is possible for all nuclide-reaction pairs investigated when prompt neutron decay constant sensitivity coefficients are utilized. This is important for new critical experiment design optimization studies of measurement configurations. This work provides a basis for more detailed sensitivity analysis and uncertainty quantification of nuclide, reaction, and energy-specific cross section data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nuclear Structure and Decay Data for A=169 Isobars

Experimental data pertaining to all nuclei with mass number A=169 (Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt) have been evaluated. Level schemes from both radioactive decay and reaction studies are presented, along with associated tables of experimental data and adopted properties for levels and γ rays. The present evaluation for A=169 supersedes the 2008 evaluation, 2008Ba31, by C.M. Baglin. A few highlights of this evaluation: More extensive work on ε decay from 169W is needed and new experimental work will be required to resolve a discrepancy between the J π values deduced for a 180-keV level in 169Ta based on extensive band structure from (HI,xnγ) work (J π =1/2−) and TDPAD measurements (J=5/2). Low lying states of 169Os were studied via fine structure of 173Pt α decay in 2014ThZZ. The Eαs feeding the g.s. of 169Os in 2008Ba31 are separated well into two consistent groups to feed the g.s. and the newly proposed state at 34.84 keV. Based on the studies of 2014ThZZ and 2021Zh52, the g.s. spin-parity assignment of 169Os has been proposed to be (7/2−) from (5/2−). The 169Ir g.s. half-life and alpha emission branching reported in 2012Th13 from 173Au α decay measurements are preferred over the values in 2005Sc22. The reported half-life value in 2005Sc22 for 169Ir g.s. is discrepant and the research work was carried out in the same lab of 2012Th13.

Basunia, M Shamsuzzoha↗

Tunable Solid Acid Catalyst Thin Films Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition

Solid acid catalysts, including zeolites and amorphous silica-aluminas (ASAs), are industrially important materials widely used in the fuel and petrochemical industries. The versatility of zeolites is due to the Brønsted acidity of the bridging hydroxyl and shape selectivity that can be tailored during and after synthesis. This is in contrast to amorphous silica-alumina, where tailoring acidity is a major challenge as the Brønsted acid structure in ASA is still debated. In both cases, however, the pore size and acidity cannot be tuned independently, and this is particularly limiting in the application of biomass conversion, where zeolite pores are too small for the molecules of interest. Herein, we present a method using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to prepare thin films of solid acid materials where the ratio of Brønsted to Lewis acid sites can be tuned precisely. This capability, combined with the sub-nm pore size control afforded by ALD yields a powerful and flexible method for synthesizing solid acid catalysts inside virtually any mesoporous host. We demonstrate the utility of these materials in two acid-catalyzed reactions relevant to biomass conversion: (1) Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley–Oppenauer (MPVO) reaction and dehydration of fructose and (2) cascade reaction of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Finally, we propose a plausible structure for the Brønsted acid sites in our materials based on infrared spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements and density functional theory calculations and argue that this same structure might apply to conventional ASAs as well.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Building surrogate models of nuclear density functional theory with Gaussian processes and autoencoders

From the lightest Hydrogen isotopes up to the recently synthesized Oganesson (Z = 118), it is estimated that as many as about 8,000 atomic nuclei could exist in nature. Most of these nuclei are too short-lived to be occurring on Earth, but they play an essential role in astrophysical events such as supernova explosions or neutron star mergers that are presumed to be at the origin of most heavy elements in the Universe. Understanding the structure, reactions, and decays of nuclei across the entire chart of nuclides is an enormous challenge because of the experimental difficulties in measuring properties of interest in such fleeting objects and the theoretical and computational issues of simulating strongly-interacting quantum many-body systems. Nuclear density functional theory (DFT) is a fully microscopic theoretical framework which has the potential of providing such a quantitatively accurate description of nuclear properties for every nucleus in the chart of nuclides. Thanks to high-performance computing facilities, it has already been successfully applied to predict nuclear masses, global patterns of radioactive decay like β or γ decay, and several aspects of the nuclear fission process such as, e.g., spontaneous fission half-lives. Yet, predictive simulations of nuclear spectroscopy—the low-lying excited states and transitions between them—or of nuclear fission, or the quantification of theoretical uncertainties and their propagation to basic or applied nuclear science applications, would require several orders of magnitude more calculations than currently possible. However, most of this computational effort would be spent into generating a suitable basis of DFT wavefunctions. Such a task could potentially be considerably accelerated by borrowing tools from the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence. In this paper, we review different approaches to applying supervised and unsupervised learning techniques to nuclear DFT.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nuclear Structure and Decay Data for A=149 Isobars

Here, experimental nuclear structure and decay data are evaluated for all the 17 known nuclides of mass 149 (Xe, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb). Detailed compiled and evaluated spectroscopic information is presented for each reaction and decay dataset, and recommended values are provided for level properties, α, β and γ radiations, and other spectroscopic parameters, based on an evaluation of all the available experimental data for A=149 isobaric nuclides. Although large amounts of nuclear spectroscopic data are available for nuclides of A=149, yet large gaps in knowledge exist, as described below. For the lowest atomic number nuclide 149 Xe, only the isotopic identification has been made, with no data for its ground-state half-life. For 149 Cs, 149 Tm and 149 Yb information is available for only the respective ground states. For 149 Ba, 149 La and 149 Er, limited data exist for excited states. Many of the decay schemes of radioactive nuclei of A=149 are considered as incomplete, either due to large energy differences between the highest observed excited states in daughter nuclides and the respective Q-values, or due to the lack of confirmed γ-ray data, as listed below: 149 Cs → 149 Ba, 149 Ba → 149 La, 149 La → 149 Ce, 149 Ce → 149 Pr, 149 Pr → 149 Nd, 149 Tb(4.17 min) → 149 Gd, 149 Ho(21.0 s and 56 s) → 149 Dy, 149 Er(4 s and 9.6 s) → 149 Ho, and 149 Tm → 149 Er. No data exist for the decay of 149 Yb to 149 Tm. Data for half-lives of the excited states in this mass chain are generally lacking as given below by the number of excited levels of known half-life / approximate number of known levels in a nuclide: 2/17 for 149 Ba, 0/18 for 149 La, 3/53 for 149 Ce, 3/44 for 149 Pr, 17/110 for 149 Nd, 9/90 for 149 Pm, 10/210 for 149 Sm, 2/125 for 149 Eu, 6/270 for 149 Gd, 5/200 for 149 Tb, 3/80 for 149 Dy, 3/90 for 149 Ho, and 3/14 for 149 Er. This work supersedes earlier evaluations of A=149 nuclides published by 2004Si16, 1994Si18, 1985Sz01 and 1976Ho17.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Using FLUKA to Calculate Spacecraft: Single Event Environments: A Practical Approach

The FLUKA nuclear transport and reaction code can be developed into a practical tool for calculation of spacecraft and planetary surface asset SEE and TID environments. Nuclear reactions and secondary particle shower effects can be estimated with acceptable accuracy both in-flight and in test. More detailed electronic device and/or spacecraft geometries than are reported here are possible using standard FLUKA geometry utilities. Spacecraft structure and shielding mass. Effects of high Z elements in microelectronic structure as reported previously. Median shielding mass in a generic slab or concentric sphere target geometry are at least approximately applicable to more complex spacecraft shapes. Need the spacecraft shielding mass distribution function applicable to the microelectronic system of interest. SEE environment effects can be calculated for a wide range of spacecraft and microelectronic materials with complete nuclear physics. Evaluate benefits of low Z shielding mass can be evaluated relative to aluminum. Evaluate effects of high Z elements as constituents of microelectronic devices. The principal limitation on the accuracy of the FLUKA based method reported here are found in the limited accuracy and incomplete character of affordable heavy ion test data. To support accurate rate estimates with any calculation method, the aspect ratio of the sensitive volume(s) and the dependence must be better characterized.

Koontz, Steve↗

Getting Started with Evaluations with Means and Uncertainties (EMU 3.0)

One of the most fundamental quantities in nuclear physics is the reaction cross section. A cross section represents the probability that a nuclear reaction will resolve through a given channel given a target nucleus and a projectile with a certain energy. A nuclear evaluation is a set of discrete data and interpolation rules to convert those discrete nuclear reaction data—such as the cross section—into a continuous function at arbitrary energies. Evaluated nuclear data files that can appear in Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF) and Generalized Nuclear Data Structure (GNDS) formats, storing a “most-complete” discretized representation of nuclear data, based on both experimental measurements and theory models.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Gamow-shell-model description of Li isotopes and their mirror partners

Background: Weakly bound and unbound nuclei close to particle drip lines are laboratories of new nuclear structure physics at the extremes of neutron/proton excess. The comprehensive description of these systems requires an open quantum system framework that is capable of treating resonant and nonresonant many-body states on equal footing. Purpose: In this work, we develop the complex-energy configuration interaction approach to describe binding energies and spectra of selected 5 ≤ $\textit{A}$ ≤ 11 nuclei. Method: We employ the complex-energy Gamow shell model (GSM) assuming a rigid 4 He core. The effective Hamiltonian, consisting of a core-nucleon Woods-Saxon potential and a simplified version of the Furutani-Horiuchi-Tamagaki interaction with the mass-dependent scaling, is optimized in the $\textit{sp}$ space. To diagonalize the Hamiltonian matrix, we employ the Davidson method and the Density Matrix Renormalization Group technique. Results: We report our optimized GSM Hamiltonian offers a good reproduction of binding energies and spectra with the root-mean-square (rms) deviation from experiment of 160 keV. Since the model performs well when used to predict known excitations that have not been included in the fit, it can serve as a reliable tool to describe poorly known states. A case in point is our prediction for the pair of unbound mirror nuclei 10 Li – 10 N in which a huge Thomas-Ehrman shift dramatically alters the pattern of low-energy excitations. Conclusion: The new model will enable comprehensive studies of structure and reactions aspects of light drip-line nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗