Evidence of molybdenum association with particulate organic matter under sulfidic conditions.

The geochemical behavior of molybdenum (Mo) in the oceans is closely linked to the presence of sulfide species in anoxic environments, where Fe availability may play a key role in the Mo scavenging. Here, we show that Mo(VI) is reduced in the presence of particulate organic matter (represented by sulfate-reducing bacteria). Molybdenum was immobilized at the surface of both living cells and dead/lysed cells, but not in cell-free control experiments. Experiments were carried out at four different Mo concentrations (0.1 to 2 mm) to yield cell-associated Mo precipitates with little or no Fe, consisting of mainly Mo(IV)-sulfide compounds with molecular structures similar to Mo enzymes and to those found in natural euxinic sediments. Therefore, we propose that Mo removal in natural sulfidic waters can proceed via a non-Fe-assisted pathway that requires particulate organic matter (dead or living sulfate-reducing bacteria). This pathway has implications for global marine Mo cycling and the current use of Mo-based proxies for paleo-environmental investigations.

Internal recycle to improve denitrification in a step feed anoxic/aerobic activated sludge system.

During periods of low load (weekends and holidays) the Mangere wastewater treatment plant effluent has breached the summer consent conditions for total nitrogen. The purpose of this research was to determine if an internal recycle would improve nitrogen removal in the anoxic/aerobic activated sludge reactors sufficient to meet the summer resource consent standard. The recycle returned nitrate rich mixed liquor from the downstream aerobic zone back to the initial anoxic zone, thus potentially improving denitrification. A full scale trial showed that installation of the internal recycle on each RC would have satisfied the resource consent for total nitrogen in most cases over the three summer resource consent periods since the upgrade. However, further modifications of the internal recycle would be required to ensure that consent conditions were satisfied at all times and to improve the consistency of the results.

5-(2-pyridyl)-1,3-dithiane-2-thione.

The title compound, C9H9NS3, crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. In both molecules, the dithiane-2-thione rings adopt a symmetric half-boat conformation with the C atom opposite the C--S(thione) bond out of the plane. The pyridine ring is in an equatorial position and is twisted out of the plane of the half-boat by 82.7 (2) and 84.5 (2) degrees in the two molecules, so that the N atom is trans to the axial C--H bond in both cases.

Structural characterisation of the H-bonded [MnII(OH2)2...(OCH3)2MnIII] motif: a model for resting state hydroxylic solvent coordination in M(II)-M(III) enzymes.

A mixed-valence dimanganese complex with two water ligands bound to the Mn(II) ion and two methoxide ligands bound to the Mn(III) ion in a H-bonded arrangement has been structurally characterised and models possible resting state water/hydroxide coordination in purple acid phosphatases.

Transrectal ultrasound versus cystography in the evaluation of anatomical stress urinary incontinence.

Thirty-two female patients with clinical and urodynamic findings of genuine stress urinary incontinence were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery for stress urinary incontinence. Twenty-nine control patients had identical evaluations before and 6 months after surgery which did not involve the urethrovesical junction. Twenty-four patients with primary bladder instability had similar evaluations and served as a second control group. Anatomical landmarks indicating support to the urethrovesical junction were evaluated by the position of the urethra at the most dependent point in the bladder on straining and the urethral descent on straining to beneath the posterior ramus of the symphysis pubis on bead chain cystography. The urethrovesical junction drop on straining was evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography. Cystographic and ultrasonographic tests for the position of the urethrovesical junction at the most dependent position in the bladder during straining were very sensitive in women with stress urinary incontinence (94 and 87% respectively) but much less specific (45 and 48% respectively). When evaluating anatomical support to the urethrovesical junction and its descent on straining, these tests were both highly sensitive (97 and 94% respectively) and specific (76 and 96% respectively) in women with genuine stress urinary incontinence. Simple clinical tests for support of the urethrovesical junction, such as the Q tip test, are non-specific in patients with stress urinary incontinence. Transrectal ultrasonography is a simple and quick out-patient procedure. The availability of ultrasound equipment in most clinics and the high sensitivity and specificity of the test make it an attractive and cost-effective alternative to X-ray cystography in the pre-operative evaluation of anatomical support to the urethrovesical junction.