BIGMAC : breaking inaccurate genomes and merging assembled contigs for long read metagenomic assembly.

BackgroundThe problem of de-novo assembly for metagenomes using only long reads is gaining attention. We study whether post-processing metagenomic assemblies with the original input long reads can result in quality improvement. Previous approaches have focused on pre-processing reads and optimizing assemblers. BIGMAC takes an alternative perspective to focus on the post-processing step.ResultsUsing both the assembled contigs and original long reads as input, BIGMAC first breaks the contigs at potentially mis-assembled locations and subsequently scaffolds contigs. Our experiments on metagenomes assembled from long reads show that BIGMAC can improve assembly quality by reducing the number of mis-assemblies while maintaining or increasing N50 and N75. Moreover, BIGMAC shows the largest N75 to number of mis-assemblies ratio on all tested datasets when compared to other post-processing tools.ConclusionsBIGMAC demonstrates the effectiveness of the post-processing approach in improving the quality of metagenomic assemblies

The ammonite-conodont association in the Meekoceras beds of Northeast Nevada

An association of ammonites and conodonts was discovered concentrated in thin lenticular limestone beds interbedded with siltstones in the Lower Triassic Thaynes Formation in northeastern Nevada. The mere presence of the limestone within the siltstones is due to current accumulations of shell material and fragments. After considering the various aspects of possible paleobiological relationships (i.e., commensalism, mutualism, parasitism, predation, post mortum relationships, etc.), and examining the distribution and ratios of the elements of multielement and single element conodont apparatuses, it is believed that the ammonite-conodont association results from the same factors which account for the limestone facies, that is, current accumulations of ammonite conchs and conodont elements.No embarg

Corporations - Liabilites - Inadequate Capitalization as Ground for Disregarding Corporate Entity

Defendant Resnick, meeting minimum statutory incorporation requirements, organized a corporation and thereafter persuaded defendants Cowan to join him in operating a used car enterprise under the corporate name. No stock was issued, nor capital paid in, although a checking account was opened for use by the business. Car purchases were financed through loans made or guaranteed by the elder Cowan, who held title until resale. Proceeds from resale transactions were deposited in the checking account, from which defendant Resnick reimbursed Cowan for money advanced. Sales volume averaged from $100,000 to$150,000 monthly. Assured that the elder Cowan was backing the corporation, plaintiff sold cars to defendants following the described procedure. Corporate checks drawn by Resnick for the balance due on eight cars were dishonored, and when the corporation filed in bankruptcy, plaintiff sued defendants on a theory of individual liability. The trial court held for plaintiff. On appeal, held, affirmed, one justice dissenting. Capital investment was totally inadequate for the volume of business conducted, and this factor, together with the failure to issue stock, is under the circumstances sufficient ground for disregarding the corporate entity. Automotriz Del Golfo de California v. Resnick, (Cal. 1957) 306 P. (2d) I

Elasticity of silicic acid gel

When Robert Hooke published the “Description of Heliscopen” in 1676 the quotation above appeared on page 31 – translated – “The power of any spring is in the same proportion with the tension therein.” He formulated his theory from experimental results. It remained for Young, nearly a century and a half later, to interpret Hooke’s results in the generalized sense known today. Young defined the modulus, now known by his name, as the ratio of the force, causing elongation or compression, over the increment of expansion or contraction produced by it. When a proportion of matter is under the influence of a force tending to change its shape or size, it is said to be under stress while the accompanying distortion or volume change is called the strain. A mixture of silicic, acid, and water transgresses, with a lapse of time, into a jelly-like substance called ‘gel’. Its specific properties depend upon the previous history and age of the gel. To find the characteristic behavior of the elasticity of silicic acid gel, with consideration of the usual variables, is the essence of this research