From Regular to Chaotic States in Atomic Nuclei

An interesting aspect of nuclear dynamics is the co--existence, in atomic nuclei, of regular and chaotic states. In the first part of the present work, we review the state of the art of nuclear dynamics and use a schematic shell model to show how a very simple and schematic nucleon--nucleon interaction can produce an order$\to$chaos transition. The second part is devoted to a discussion of the wave function behaviour and decay of chaotic states using some simple models (to be published in Rivista Nuovo Cimento).Comment: 65 pages, LaTex (the figures are not included), Preprint DFPD/94/TH/26, University of Padov

The affinity of MhuD for heme is consistent with a heme degrading function in vivo

MhuD is a protein found in mycobacteria that can bind up to two heme molecules per protein monomer and catalyze the degradation of heme to mycobilin in vitro. Here the Kd1 for heme dissociation from heme-bound MhuD was determined to be 7.6 ± 0.8 nM and the Kd2 for heme dissocation from diheme-bound MhuD was determined to be 3.3 ± 1.1 μM. These data strongly suggest that MhuD is a competent heme oxygenase in vivo