Molecular cloning and characterization of a thermostable carboxylesterase from an archaeon, Sulfolobus shibatae DSM5389: non-linear kinetic behavior of a hormone-sensitive lipase family enzyme

A gene coding for an esterase (SshEstI, 915 bp in length) of the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus shibatae DSM5389 was cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli JM109 cells as a soluble, catalytically active protein. The deduced amino acid sequence of SshEstI was consistent with a protein containing 305 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 33 kDa. Sequence comparison studies indicated that SshEstI could be a member of the hormone-sensitive lipase family, in that it had the highest sequence similarity to esterases from Sulfolobus solfataricus (90% identity) and Archaeoglobus fulgidus (42%) and a lipase from Pseudomonas sp. B11-1 (38%). The recombinant enzyme was highly thermostable and retained more than 70% of its initial activity after incubation at 90 degrees C and pH 7.0 for 30 min. The recombinant enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl (p-NP) esters with C2-C16 acyl chains but not the hydrolysis of triacylglycerides such as tributyrin and triolein. The enzymatic hydrolysis of p-NP acetate proceeded in a linear manner with time, whereas that of p-NP esters with acyl chains of C5 or longer showed a biphasic profile, where a rapid release of p-nitrophenol ( approximately 3 min) was followed by a slow, sustained release. These non-linear kinetics may be explained in terms of a very slow, presteady-state burst phenomenon of p-nitrophenol release or a hysteretic behavior of SshEstI with these substrates.     

5, 10-linked naphthodithiophenes as the building block for semiconducting polymers

We present new semiconducting polymers incorporating naphtho[1, 2-b:5, 6-b′] dithiophene (NDT3) and naphtho[2, 1-b:6, 5-b′] dithiophene (NDT4), which are linked at the naphthalene positions, in the polymer backbone. It is interesting that the trend in the ordering structure and thus charge transport properties are quite different from what were observed in the isomeric polymers where the NDT3 and NDT4 cores are linked at the thiophene α-positions. In the thiophene-linked NDT system, the NDT3-based polymer (PNDT3BT) gave the better ordering in thin films and thus the high charge carrier mobility compared to the NDT4-based polymer (PNDT4BT). In the meantime, in the naphthalene-linked NDT system, the NDT4-based polymer (PNDT4iBT) provided the superior properties. Considering that PNDT4iBT has relatively low highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level (−5.2 eV) and moderately high mobilities in the order of 10⁻² cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, the NDT4 core, when linked at the naphthalene positions, can be a good building unit for the development of high-performance semiconducting polymers for both organic field-effect transistors and photovoltaic devices.     

Soft X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism and Photoemission Studies of II–VI Diluted Ferromagnetic Semiconductor Zn1−x Cr x Te

The electronic structure of the Cr ions in Zn_1−x Cr _x Te (x=0.03 and 0.15) has been investigated using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and photoemission spectroscopy. Magnetic-field (H) and temperature (T) dependences of the Cr L _2,3 XMCD spectra well corresponded to the behavior of the magnetization measured by a SQUID magnetometer. The line shape of the Cr L _2,3 XMCD spectra was independent of H,T, and x, indicating that the ferromagnetism was originated from the same Cr electronic states independent of Cr concentration. The Cr 3d partial density of states (DOS) showed a peak at the top of the valence band but there was no DOS at the Fermi level, corresponding to their insulating behaviors.     

Coal gasification using a molten iron bath

A coal gasification process using a molten iron bath as reactor has been developed by Sumitomo Metals. Pulverized coal is blown onto this molten iron together with oxygen and steam as gasification agents. Tests using a pilot plant having a capacity of 60 t (coal) day^?1, has shown that a sulphur-free carbon monoxide and hydrogen-rich gas can be generated at high coal conversion efficiency.     

The contribution of the nucleation process to grain formation in calculating solidification microstructure by CA-DFD

To predict solidification macrostructures, the direct finite difference (DFD) method for heat transfer calculation was coupled with cellular automaton (CA). In the CA-DFD, the nucleation process as the initial condition of calculations was determined according to Gaussian distribution or being instantaneous. In the case of Gaussian distribution, there are six nucleation-related parameters. In this work, the inspection of relationships of preset nuclei to grain, preset nuclei to born nuclei, and born nuclei to grain was carried out by comparison of each ratio. However, these relationships are only valid under the same solidification environments. In contrast to the preset method, the successive nuclei setting method (SNS) was carried out. This method manages the nucleus settings by every time step. The microstructures by SNS were compared with those by preset.     

Interface temperature measurement of M2C and M6C eutectic carbides in the Fe–Mo–C system

The High speed cast iron, which is used for hot rolling parts, needs high fracture toughness and wear resistance. To improve these properties, the control of eutectic carbides, M₃C, M₇C₃,M₆C and MC is important by adding elements such as Cr, W, V and Mo.

The aim of this study is to estimate which carbide will solidify under certain solidification conditions and compositions. This prediction criterion can be gained by measuring the interface temperature of each carbide in various samples with different solute elements, composition and growth rate.

In this report, the solidified temperature of γ + M₂C and γ + M₆C eutectic carbide in the Fe–Mo–C ternary system in the composition range near to the eutectic monovariant line, was measured during the unidirectional solidiication process. The relationship between solidified interface temperature and growth rate was obtained. In eutectic solidification along the γ + M₆C monovariant line, a coefficient of undercooling, the k value, was obtained.

The authors have already measured the k values of other eutectic carbides, such as γ + M₃C, austenite + M₇C₃, and γ + VC in Fe–Cr–C and Fe–V–C system. The paper also discusses the relationships between these properties of eutectic carbides.     

Effects of gas adsorption on the electrical conductivity of single-wall carbon nanohorns

We present significant electrical conductivity responses of the pelletized as-prepared and oxidized (ox-) single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) on adsorption of CO(2) and O(2). The morphological and pore structures of both pelletized SWNHs were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption isotherm, leading to explicit evidences of the formation of nanoscale windows on the wall by oxidation. The SWNH and ox-SWNH induced a semiconducting behavior, strongly responded to CO(2) and O(2) adsorptions, and each exhibited n-type- and p-type-like conductivities. The electrical conductivity increase and decrease for CO(2) and O(2) adsorption, respectively, were observed for SWNH, whereas ox-SWNH showed a marked electrical conductivity drop on CO(2) adsorption and almost no change on O(2) adsorption. The dramatically different electrical conductivity response of ox-SWNH is presumed to be ascribed to the annihilation of pentagons in the single graphene wall by oxidation.