Did mineral surface chemistry and toxicity contribute to evolution of microbial extracellular polymeric substances?

Abstract Modern ecological niches are teeming with an astonishing diversity of microbial life in biofilms closely associated with mineral surfaces, which highlights the remarkable success of microorganisms in conquering the challenges and capitalizing on the benefits presented by the mineral-water interface. Biofilm formation capability likely evolved on early Earth because biofilms provide crucial cell survival functions. The potential toxicity of mineral surfaces toward cells and the complexities of the mineral-water-cell interface in determining the toxicity mechanisms, however, have not been fully appreciated. Here, we report a previously unrecognized role for extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which form biofilms in shielding cells against the toxicity of mineral surfaces. Using colony plating and LIVE/DEAD staining methods in oxide suspensions versus oxide-free controls, we found greater viability of wild-type, EPS-producing strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 compared to their isogenic knockout mutant with defective biofilm-producing capacity. Oxide toxicity was specific to its surface charge and particle size. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images and assays for highly reactive oxygen species (hROS) on mineral surfaces suggested that EPS shield via both physical and chemical mechanisms. Intriguingly, qualitative as well as quantitative measures of EPS production showed that toxic minerals induced EPS production in bacteria. By determining the specific toxicity mechanisms, we provide insight into the potential impact of mineral surfaces in promoting increased complexity of cell surfaces, including EPS and biofilm formation, on early Earth. Key Words: Mineral toxicity-Bacteria-EPS evolution-Biofilms-Cytotoxicity-Silica-Anatase-Alumina. Astrobiology 12, 785-798.     

DASIG:一种多处理机的数据和信号处理体系结构

本文介绍了一种称为DASIG机的灵活的计算机体系结构,准备用于数据和信号处理。该机实际上包括任意数量并行工作的可编微程序数字和/或信号处理部件。每一部件具有4K高速缓冲存贮器和三个长为16的队列。这些队列用于部件问的通信。利用4K高速缓冲存贮器可在部件问或从主存贮器成块传送数据,所以各部件在完成各自任务中与其它部件的交互影响很少。数字处理部件由可编微程序的位片数字硬件结构组成,这些硬件结构能够级联一至八个位组。信号处理部件由专门用于极快信号处理的高速可编微程序的位片数字信号处理硬件组成。典型的DASIG机配置能为很多种数字和信号处理提供杰出的性能,它包括三个部件:全局接口部件、数据处理部件和信号处理部件。本文介绍了DASIG机的总体结构,然后介绍数字处理部件和信号处理部件的结构以及处理机的同步问题。最后讨论DASIG机的性能和灵活性。