Molecular cloning and characterization of a thermostable esterase/lipase produced by a novel Anoxybacillus flavithermus strain

A thermophilic strain producing an extracellular esterase/lipase was isolated from a hot spring in Tǎşnad, Romania, and was identified phenotypically and by 16S rDNA sequencing as Anoxybacillus flavithermus (GenBank ID: JQ267733). The gene encoding the putative carboxyl esterase (GenBank ID: JX494348) was cloned by direct PCR amplification from genomic DNA. The protein, consisting of 246 amino acids and having a predicted molecular weight of 28.03 kDa, is encoded by an ORF of 741 bps. Expression was achieved in Escherichia coli and a recombinant protein with esterolytic activity and estimated molecular weight of 25 kDa was recovered and purified from the periplasmic fraction by IMAC. The purified enzyme, most active at 60-65°C and in the near-neutral range (pH 6.5-8), displayed a half-life at 60°C of about 5 h. Est/Lip displayed a relative tolerance to methanol, DMSO, acetonitrile, and low detergent concentrations (SDS, Triton) increased its thermostability. Highest activity was attained with p-nitrophenyl butyrate, but the enzyme was also able to hydrolyze long chain fatty acid esters, as well as triolein. The primary sequence and predicted tridimensional structure of the enzyme are very similar to those of other Anoxybacillus and Geobacillus carboxyl esterases in a distinct, recently described lipase family. Est/Lip was highly enantioselective, with preference for the (S)-enantiomer of substrates

Coherent quantum phase slip

A hundred years after discovery of superconductivity, one fundamental prediction of the theory, the coherent quantum phase slip (CQPS), has not been observed. CQPS is a phenomenon exactly dual to the Josephson effect: whilst the latter is a coherent transfer of charges between superconducting contacts, the former is a coherent transfer of vortices or fluxes across a superconducting wire. In contrast to previously reported observations of incoherent phase slip, the CQPS has been only a subject of theoretical study. Its experimental demonstration is made difficult by quasiparticle dissipation due to gapless excitations in nanowires or in vortex cores. This difficulty might be overcome by using certain strongly disordered superconductors in the vicinity of the superconductor-insulator transition (SIT). Here we report the first direct observation of the CQPS in a strongly disordered indium-oxide (InOx) superconducting wire inserted in a loop, which is manifested by the superposition of the quantum states with different number of fluxes. Similarly to the Josephson effect, our observation is expected to lead to novel applications in superconducting electronics and quantum metrology.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure

CSI-COP framework for engaging citizen scientists

Abstract This document provides the framework for the optimum method of applying ECSA’s (European Citizen Science Association) ten principles of citizen science engagement for quality assurance in ethical and inclusive citizen science engagement in the CSI-COP project for the purposes of investigating the extent of online tracking. Following a dynamic recruitment drive, a diverse community of citizen scientists will gain new knowledge and practical skills through informal education provided in workshops and a MOOC (massive open online course). The expertise gained will provide an impetus to join the CSI-COP project collaborating with researchers investigating compliance of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on websites and in apps. A series of activities, validating the outcomes of CSI-COP’s citizen scientists, will be essential to ensure the accuracy of the exploration and findings of cookies embedded in websites and in mobile device apps