Theoretical study of the amazing firefly bioluminescence: the formation and structures of the light emitters

Reaction mechanisms for the formation of the keto-form of oxyluciferin (OxyLH(2)) from the luciferin of fireflies via a dioxetanone intermediate are predicted using the B3LYP/6-31G theoretical method. The ring opening of a model dioxetanone and the decarboxylation proceed in one step via a singlet diradical transition structure with an activation barrier of 18.1 and an exothermicity of 90.8 kcal/mol. The S(0) --> S(1) vertical excitation energies predicted with time dependent density functional theory, TDDFT B3LYP/6-31+G, for the anionic and neutral forms of OxyLH(2) are in the range of 60 to 80 kcal/mol. These energetic results support the generally accepted theory of chemically initiated electron exchange luminescence (CIEEL). The chemical origin of the multicolor bioluminescence from OxyLH(2) is examined theoretically using the TDDFT B3LYP/6-31+G, ZINDO//B3LYP/6-31+G, and CIS/6-31G methods. A change in color of the light emission upon rotation of the two rings in the S(1) excited state of OxyLH(2) is unlikely because both possible emitters, the planar keto- and enol-forms, are minima on the S(1) potential energy surface. The participation of the enol-forms of OxyLH(2) in bioluminescence is plausible but not required to explain the multicolor emission. According to predictions at the TDDFT B3LYP level, the color of the bioluminescence depends on the polarization of the OxyLH(2) in the microenvironment of the enzyme-OxyLH(2) complex.     

Relationship between the structure of the protein globule and bioluminescence spectra of firefly luciferase

Bioluminescence spectra for various native and mutant luciferases from fireflies and beetles were analyzed in the light of the known theoretical concepts on the influence of the microenvironment of the emitter on its emission spectra. The mechanism for the explanation of the nature of changing bioluminescence spectra for natural and artificial mutations of the amino acid residues in the protein globule of luciferases was proposed.     

Laser control of the structure of a photosensitive substrate for enzymatic reaction

Enzymatic reaction can be controlled with a photosensitive substrate. The activation of such a substrate with laser radiation at various wavelengths is studied. The optimal wavelength and irradiation doze are determined.     

Tailoring exchange interactions in engineered nanostructures: an ab initio study

We present a novel approach to spin manipulation in atomic-scale nanostructures. Our ab initio calculations clearly demonstrate that it is possible to tune magnetic properties of subnanometer structures by adjusting the geometry of the system. By the example of two surface-based systems we demonstrate the following. (i) The magnetic moment of a single adatom coupled to a buried magnetic Co layer can be stabilized in either a ferromagnetic or an antiferromagnetic configuration depending on the spacer thickness. It is found that a buried Co layer has a profound effect on the exchange interaction between two magnetic impurities on the surface. (ii) The exchange interaction between magnetic adatoms can be manipulated by introducing artificial nonmagnetic Cu chains to link them.     

Measurement of the parity-violating longitudinal single-spin asymmetry for W± boson production in polarized proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 500 GeV

We report the first measurement of the parity-violating single-spin asymmetries for midrapidity decay positrons and electrons from W+ and W- boson production in longitudinally polarized proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 500 GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The measured asymmetries, A(L)(W+) = -0.27 ± 0.10(stat.) ± 0.02(syst.) ± 0.03(norm.) and A(L)(W-) = 0.14 ± 0.19(stat.) ± 0.02(syst.) ± 0.01(norm.), are consistent with theory predictions, which are large and of opposite sign. These predictions are based on polarized quark and antiquark distribution functions constrained by polarized deep-inelastic scattering measurements.     

Kinetics of the nanocrystalline structure formation

The kinetics of the nanocrystalline structure formation in the Fe_73.5Cu₁Nb₃Si_22.5?xB_x (x=6. 7. 8. 9 at. %) was followed during the annealing runs interrupted between 300 and 700°C.⁵⁷Fe room temperature Mössbauer spectra were taken and complemented by the electrical resistivity and X-Ray diffraction measurements. It has been found that for the 50 K/min temperature increase the formation of the nanocrystalline phase begins above 450°C reaching a maximum around 500°C and is followed by the second stage of crystallization of the disordered intergranular remainder above ca 600°C accompanied by the changes in the occupation of the iron sites in the crystalline α?Fe?Si phase. Thus gained composition-temperature dependence seems to witness for the inhibiting influence of the substitution of B by Si on the crystallization process.     

Investigating the adiabatic beam grouping at the NICA accelerator complex

The NICA complex comprises the Booster and Nuclotron synchrotrons for accelerating particle beams to the required energy and the Collider machine, in which particle collisions are investigated. The experimental heavy-ion program deals with ions up to Au⁺⁷⁹. The light-ion program deals with polarized deuterons and protons. Grouping of a beam coasting in an ion chamber is required in many parts of the complex. Beam grouping may effectively increase the longitudinal emittance and particle losses. To avoid these negative effects, various regimes of adiabatic grouping have been simulated and dedicated experiments with a deuteron beam have been conducted at the Nuclotron machine. As a result, we are able to construct and optimize the beam-grouping equipment, which provides a capture efficiency near 100% either retaining or varying the harmonic multiplicity of the HF system.