Index Heuristics for Multiclass M/G/1 Systems with Nonpreemptive Service and Convex Holding Costs

We consider the optimal service control of a multiclass M/G/1 queueing system in which customers are served nonpreemptively and the system cost rate is additive across classes and increasing convex in the numbers present in each class. Following Whittle's approach to a class of restless bandit problems, we develop a Langrangian relaxation of the service control problem which serves to motivate the development of a class of index heuristics. The index for a particular customer class is characterised as a fair charge for service of that class. The paper develops these indices and reports an extensive numerical investigation which exhibits strong performance of the index heuristics for both discounted and average costs.     

Cyclo[(6-amino-6-deoxy-d-galactonic acid)4]: a new class of carbopeptoid-cyclodextrin

The formation of the 28-membered ring cyclo[(6-amino-6-deoxy-d-galactonic acid)₄] by cyclisation of a protected open chain fully hydroxylated nylon 6 linear tetramer in modest yield provides the first example of a new class of carbopeptoid-cyclodextrin.     

Thermometric standard for continuous scale verification in thermal analysis

Ionic temperature detectors are described and discussed as possible internal temperature standards for thermal analysis and calorimetry. The available scale from 200 °C to 900 °C is shown, together with the miniature dimensions.

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Zusammenfassung Ein neuer Typ von Temperaturstandards (Ionische Temperaturdetektoren) wird beschrieben und ihre Verwendung in der thermischen Analyse und Kalorimetrie diskutiert. Hervorzuheben sind ihre geringen Abmessungen. Ein Meßbereich von 200 bis 900 °C kann abgedeckt werden.

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. , 200–900°.

     

Ullmann diaryl ether synthesis: rate acceleration by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dione

[reaction: see text]. In the copper salt catalyzed ether formation from aryl bromides or iodides and phenols, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dione (TMHD) was found to greatly accelerate the ordinarily difficult reaction, making it occur under more moderate temperatures and reaction times. A series of aryl halides and phenols were shown to form ethers in NMP as the solvent, cesium carbonate as the base, and CuCl and TMHD as the catalysts. The reaction was shown to tolerate electron-rich aryl bromides and electron-neutral phenols.     

The synthesis of the drugstore beetle pheromone (Stegobinone)

2,3-Dihydro-2,3,5-trimethyl-6-(1-methyl-2-oxobutyl)-4H-pyran-4-one ($\text{1}$ (Stegobinone), the sex pheromone of the drugstore beetle, was successfully prepared from 4,6-dimethyl-3,5,7-nonatrione ($\text{2}$) by a biogenetically plausible scheme.     

A simple approach to carbocyclic thromboxane A2 from a cyclubutane

A short route from the cyclobutane derivative (1) to the key intermediate (4) allows easy access to the carbocyclic thromboxane A₂ analogue (5).     

Single-molecule nanopore sensing of actin dynamics and drug binding

Actin is a key protein in the dynamic processes within the eukaryotic cell. To date, methods exploring the molecular state of actin are limited to insights gained from structural approaches, providing a snapshot of protein folding, or methods that require chemical modifications compromising actin monomer thermostability. Nanopore sensing permits label-free investigation of native proteins and is ideally suited to study proteins such as actin that require specialised buffers and cofactors. Using nanopores, we determined the state of actin at the macromolecular level (filamentous or globular) and in its monomeric form bound to inhibitors. We revealed urea-dependent and voltage-dependent transitional states and observed the unfolding process within which sub-populations of transient actin oligomers are visible. We detected, in real-time, filament-growth, and drug-binding at the single-molecule level demonstrating the promise of nanopore sensing for in-depth understanding of protein folding landscapes and for drug discovery.

Nanopipettes were used for real-time investigation into actin dynamics and drug binding at single-molecule resolution, showing promise for a better understanding of the mechanism of protein–protein interactions and drug discovery.