Tetra-μ-oxido-tetra­kis{dioxido[3-(2-pyrid­yl)-1H-pyrazole]molybdenum(VI)}

In the title compound, [Mo4O12(C8H7N3)4], the MoVI ion has a distorted octa­hedral coordination completed by two terminal O atoms, two μ-oxide atoms and two N atoms from one 3-(2-pyrid­yl)-1H-pyrazole ligand. It is noteworthy that in the tetranuclear unit ( symmetry), any three MoVI atoms define a plane, and the fourth lies 1.8 (1) Å out of that plane. The degree of linearity of the oxide bridges between two Mo atoms is 175.38 (13)°. Moreover, the N—H group forms an intra­molecular hydrogen bond (four per mol­ecule)

A Novel Whole-Cell Biocatalyst with NAD+ Regeneration for Production of Chiral Chemicals

Background: The high costs of pyridine nucleotide cofactors have limited the applications of NAD(P)-dependent oxidoreductases on an industrial scale. Although NAD(P)H regeneration systems have been widely studied, NAD(P) + regeneration, which is required in reactions where the oxidized form of the cofactor is used, has been less well explored, particularly in whole-cell biocatalytic processes. Methodology/Principal Findings: Simultaneous overexpression of an NAD + dependent enzyme and an NAD + regenerating enzyme (H2O producing NADH oxidase from Lactobacillus brevis) in a whole-cell biocatalyst was studied for application in the NAD +-dependent oxidation system. The whole-cell biocatalyst with (2R,3R)-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase as the catalyzing enzyme was used to produce (3R)-acetoin, (3S)-acetoin and (2S,3S)-2,3-butanediol. Conclusions/Significance: A recombinant strain, in which an NAD + regeneration enzyme was coexpressed, displayed significantly higher biocatalytic efficiency in terms of the production of chiral acetoin and (2S,3S)-2,3-butanediol. The application of this coexpression system to the production of other chiral chemicals could be extended by using differen

Electroacupuncture for psychogenic erectile dysfunction: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study exploring the alteration of fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation

BackgroundPsychogenic erectile dysfunction (PED) can seriously affect emotional and marital wellbeing. Electroacupuncture (EA) seems an effective method for treating PED. However, the central mechanisms underlying PED and the beneficial effects of EA treatment are unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the central mechanisms of PED and to examine the impact of EA on erectile function.MethodsWe recruited 14 PED patients and 14 matched normal controls (NCs). PED patients underwent twice rs-fMRI scans, respectively, pre- and post-treatment. The NCs only completed one rs-fMRI scan. We used the fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF) to compare spontaneous neural activity between the PED patients and NCs, and to examine the differences between the pre- and post-EA treatment scans in the PED patients.ResultsScores on the IIEF5, QEQ, and SEAR improved after EA treatment. Compared with the NCs, PED patients showed increased fALFF in the right posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), right supplementary motor area (SMA), and left middle occipital gyrus. Most of these regions are closely implicated in sexual inhibition. The results of the correlation analysis results indicated that the fALFF of the right PCC was negatively correlated with IIEF5 scores. After treatment, fALFF values were substantially lower in the left triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, right DLPFC, right SMA, bilateral PCC and the orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus, and higher in the left middle temporal gyrus and left caudate nucleus. These regions mainly belong to the default mode network (DMN), executive control network and primary sensory motor network. The results of the correlation analysis indicated a positive association between the changes in IIEF5 score and changes in the fALFF value in the right PCC after EA treatment.ConclusionIn conclusion, our study highlights that PED patients have abnormal patterns of activity in the right PCC, right DLPFC, and right SMA mainly involved in the DMN, executive central network, and sensory motor network which could lead to a higher levels of sexual inhibition. EA might regulate the process of sexual inhibition to improve erection function in PED patients probably by modulating spontaneous brain activity in the DMN, executive central network, and sensory motor network

Solenoid-free current drive via ECRH in EXL-50 spherical torus plasmas

As a new spherical tokamak (ST) designed to simplify engineering requirements of a possible future fusion power source, the EXL-50 experiment features a low aspect ratio (A) vacuum vessel (VV), encircling a central post assembly containing the toroidal field coil conductors without a central solenoid. Multiple electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) resonances are located within the VV to improve current drive effectiveness. Copious energetic electrons are produced and measured with hard X-ray detectors, carry the bulk of the plasma current ranging from 50kA to 150kA, which is maintained for more than 1s duration. It is observed that over one Ampere current can be maintained per Watt of ECRH power issued from the 28-GHz gyrotrons. The plasma current reaches Ip>80kA for high density (>5e18me-2) discharge with 150kW ECHR heating. An analysis was carried out combining reconstructed multi-fluid equilibrium, guiding-center orbits of energetic electrons, and resonant heating mechanisms. It is verified that in EXL-50 a broadly distributed current of energetic electrons creates smaller closed magnetic-flux surfaces of low aspect ratio that in turn confine the thermal plasma electrons and ions and participate in maintaining the equilibrium force-balance

Online batch scheduling on parallel machines with delivery times

AbstractWe study the online batch scheduling problem on parallel machines with delivery times. Online algorithms are designed on m parallel batch machines to minimize the time by which all jobs have been delivered. When all jobs have identical processing times, we provide the optimal online algorithms for both bounded and unbounded versions of this problem. For the general case of processing time on unbounded batch machines, an online algorithm with a competitive ratio of 2 is given when the number of machines m=2 or m=3, respectively. When m≥4, we present an online algorithm with a competitive ratio of 1.5+o(1)

Preparation and characterisation of Al-doped ZnO and PVDF composites

A single organic composite material having high dielectric constant is difficult to meet the needs of the market. Nowadays, polymer matrix-based composites have become a promising option that researchers are focusing on. Al-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) and composites containing ZnO as reinforcement and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) as matrix were prepared. The microstructure of composites was analysed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The chemical structures and crystallisation behaviour of the materials were investigated by the means of FT-IR and X-ray diffractometer. ZnO, having both rod- and sheet-shaped, was evenly distributed within the PVDF material. Additionally, the dielectric properties and breakdown field strength of composite were tested. As the content of the fillers was kept steady, the dielectric constant of the composite material increased proportionally with the Al content. Thus, a composite containing 10% ZnO with 7% Al displayed a dielectric constant of 18.5 at 100 Hz, twice when compared with the pure ZnO/PVDF composites. This phenomenon was attributed to ZnO semiconductor properties which can significantly improve the conductive nature of the materials

Fluorescent probe for copper(II) ion based on a rhodamine spirolactame derivative, and its application to fluorescent imaging in living cells

A fluorescent probe for Cu(II) ion is presented. It is based on the rhodamine fluorophore and exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity for Cu(II) ion in aqueous methanol (2:8, v/v) at pH 7.0. The response is based on a ring opening reaction and formation of a strongly fluorescent 1:1 complex. The response is reversible and linear in the range between 50 nM and 900 nM, with a detection limit of 7.0 nM. The probe was successfully applied to fluorescent imaging of Cu(II) ions in HeLa cells.A fluorescent probe for Cu(II) ion is presented. It is based on the rhodamine fluorophore and exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity for Cu(II) ion in aqueous methanol (2:8, v/v) at pH 7.0. The response is based on a ring opening reaction and formation of a strongly fluorescent 1:1 complex. The response is reversible and linear in the range between 50 nM and 900 nM, with a detection limit of 7.0 nM. The probe was successfully applied to fluorescent imaging of Cu(II) ions in HeLa cells