def get_last_tid(self):
        try:
            spec = {'tid': {'$gt': 0}}
            sort = [('tid', -1)]
            row = self.db.docs.find_one(spec, sort=sort)
        except Exception as e:
            raise DatabaseException(e)
        if row:
            return row['tid']
        return 0
def deadline_for_course(cls, course_key):
        """
        Retrieve the verification deadline for a particular course.

        Arguments:
            course_key (CourseKey): The identifier for the course.

        Returns:
            datetime or None

        """
        try:
            deadline = cls.objects.get(course_key=course_key)
            return deadline.deadline
        except cls.DoesNotExist:
            return None