Distributed computing system with dual independent communications paths between computers and employing split tokens

This is a distributed computing system providing flexible fault tolerance; ease of software design and concurrency specification; and dynamic balance of the loads. The system comprises a plurality of computers each having a first input/output interface and a second input/output interface for interfacing to communications networks each second input/output interface including a bypass for bypassing the associated computer. A global communications network interconnects the first input/output interfaces for providing each computer the ability to broadcast messages simultaneously to the remainder of the computers. A meshwork communications network interconnects the second input/output interfaces providing each computer with the ability to establish a communications link with another of the computers bypassing the remainder of computers. Each computer is controlled by a resident copy of a common operating system. Communications between respective ones of computers is by means of split tokens each having a moving first portion which is sent from computer to computer and a resident second portion which is disposed in the memory of at least one of computer and wherein the location of the second portion is part of the first portion. The split tokens represent both functions to be executed by the computers and data to be employed in the execution of the functions. The first input/output interfaces each include logic for detecting a collision between messages and for terminating the broadcasting of a message whereby collisions between messages are detected and avoided

MetaPOAP: Presence or Absence of Metabolic Pathways in Metagenome-Assembled Genomes

Genome-resolved metagenomics allows the construction of draft microbial genomes from short-read shotgun metagenomics (Metagenome-Assembled Genomes, or MAGs); however, even high-quality MAGs are typically somewhat incomplete and contain a small amount of contaminant sequence, making accurate prediction of metabolic potential challenging. Here, we describe MetaPOAP, an algorithm for probabalistic assessment of the statistical likelihoods for the presence or absence of metabolic pathways in MAGs

Primary Productivity was Limited by Electron Donors Prior to the Advent of Oxygenic Photosynthesis

To evaluate productivity on the early Earth before the advent of oxygenic photosynthesis, we integrated estimates of net primary production by early anaerobic metabolisms as limited by geological fluxes of key electron donor compounds, phosphate, and fixed nitrogen. These calculations show that productivity was limited by fluxes of electron donor compounds to rates that were orders of magnitude lower than today. Results suggest that ferrous iron provided a minor fuel for net primary productivity compared to molecular hydrogen. Fluxes of fixed nitrogen and phosphate were in excess of demands by the electron donor‐limited biosphere, even without biological nitrogen fixation. This suggests that until life learned to use water as an electron donor for photosynthesis, the size and productivity of the biosphere were constrained by the geological supply of electron donors and there may not have been much ecological pressure to evolve biological nitrogen fixation. Moreover, extremely low productivity in the absence of oxygenic photosynthesis has implications for the potential scale of biospheres on icy worlds such as Enceladus and Europa, where photosynthesis is not possible and life would be unable to escape electron donor limitation

Aspirin Resistance in Cardiovascular Disease: A Review

AbstractBackground. Aspirin is effective at reducing the cardiovascular event rate in defined patient groups. The introduction of antiplatelet therapies other than aspirin and the concept of aspirin resistance have led to critical reappraisal of current treatment. This review aims to clarify the evidence for aspirin resistance in patients with atherosclerosis.Methods. Medline search was performed to identify publications concerned with antiplatelet effects of aspirin and failure of aspirin therapy. Manual cross referencing was also performed.Results and conclusion. Wide variations in the rate of aspirin resistance (5.5–75%) have been reported. The lack of consensus on an appropriate definition and the number of different tests used to investigate aspirin resistance needs to be addressed. There are few studies where the primary aim was to document aspirin resistance or aspirin non-response. Further work should aim to investigate if aspirin resistance is clinically important and, if it is, what treatments may be beneficial to the at risk patient

Draft Genome Sequence of Chloracidobacterium sp. CP2_5A, a Phototrophic Member of the Phylum Acidobacteria Recovered from a Japanese Hot Spring

The phylum Acidobacteria contains a single known phototrophic member, Chloracidobacterium thermophilum, which was recovered from a hot spring metagenome from Yellowstone National Park. Here, we expand the diversity of the genus Chloracidobacterium with a genome recovered from a hot spring in Japan, extending the known range of this lineage to a new continent

Draft Genome Sequences of a Novel Lineage of Armatimonadetes Recovered from Japanese Hot Springs

Here, we report two draft genome sequences from a novel lineage within the Armatimonadetes phylum recovered from metagenomes sequenced from Japanese hot spring microbial mats. These organisms are aerobic and represent a new lineage related to the characterized Chthonomonas and Fimbriimonas groups, and they expand the diversity of this enigmatic phylum

Candidatus Anthektikosiphon siderophilum OHK22, a New Member of the Chloroflexi Family Herpetosiphonaceae from Oku-okuhachikurou Onsen

We report the draft metagenome-assembled genome of a member of the Chloroflexi family Herpetosiphonaceae from microbial biofilms developed in a circumneutral, iron-rich hot spring in Japan. This taxon represents a novel genus and species—here proposed as Candidatus Anthektikosiphon siderophilum—that expands the known taxonomic and genetic diversity of the Herpetosiphonaceae and helps orient the evolutionary history of key traits like photosynthesis and aerobic respiration in the Chloroflexi

Candidatus Anthektikosiphon siderophilum OHK22, a New Member of the Chloroflexi Family Herpetosiphonaceae from Oku-okuhachikurou Onsen

We report the draft metagenome-assembled genome of a member of the Chloroflexi family Herpetosiphonaceae from microbial biofilms developed in a circumneutral, iron-rich hot spring in Japan. This taxon represents a novel genus and species—here proposed as Candidatus Anthektikosiphon siderophilum—that expands the known taxonomic and genetic diversity of the Herpetosiphonaceae and helps orient the evolutionary history of key traits like photosynthesis and aerobic respiration in the Chloroflexi

Summary report on the geology of the proposed HS2 Route (3) in the Chesham and Amersham Constituency

This brief open-file report summarises the information available from the British Geological Survey (BGS), a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), on the geology, hydrogeology and potential geological hazards of the proposed HS2 Route 3 within the Chesham and Amersham Constituency, and surrounding areas. The report summarises the geology and hydrogeology of the district and highlights geological and hydrogeological considerations that may need further investigation along the route. Further review and analysis of existing data and possible field investigation would be required to confirm details of the local geology. The report was requested by Mrs Cheryl Gillan MP following a meeting with Dr Martin Smith, Head of Geology & Landscapes programme, on Monday 16th May 2011 at the offices of the Secretary of State for Wales in Whitehall