Phase Transitions of an Oscillator Neural Network with a Standard Hebb Learning Rule

Studies have been made on the phase transition phenomena of an oscillator network model based on a standard Hebb learning rule like the Hopfield model. The relative phase informations---the in-phase and anti-phase, can be embedded in the network. By self-consistent signal-to-noise analysis (SCSNA), it was found that the storage capacity is given by $\alpha_c = 0.042$, which is better than that of Cook's model. However, the retrieval quality is worse. In addition, an investigation was made into an acceleration effect caused by asymmetry of the phase dynamics. Finally, it was numerically shown that the storage capacity can be improved by modifying the shape of the coupling function.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Estimation of responses of yield and grain protein concentration of malting barley to nitrogen fertiliser using plant nitrogen uptake

The effect of nitrogen application on the grain yield and grain protein concentration of barley was studied in 13 field trials covering a wide range of soil N conditions over 4 years at locations in south-eastern Queensland. The main objectives of the study were to quantify the response of barley to N application rate over a range of environmental conditions, and to explain the response in terms of soil mineral N, total N uptake, and N distribution in the plants. Barley made efficient use of N (60 kg grain/kg N) until grain yield reached 90% of maximum yield. Grain protein concentration did not increase to levels unacceptable for malting purposes until grain yield exceeded 85–90% of maximum yield. Nitrogen harvest index was generally high (above 0·75), and did not decrease until the total N supply exceeded that necessary for maximum grain yield. Rates of application of N for malting barley should be determined on the basis of soil analysis (nitrate-N) to 1 m depth and 90% of expected maximum grain yield, assuming that 17 kg N is taken up per tonne of grain produced. It can further be assumed that the crop makes full use of the nitrate N to 1 m present at planting, provided the soil is moist to 1 m. A framework relating grain yield to total N uptake, N harvest index, and grain N concentration is presented. Further, total N uptake of fertilised barley is related to N uptake without fertiliser, fertiliser application rate, and apparent N recovery. The findings reported here will be useful in the development of barley simulation models and decision support packages that can be used to aid N management

Four gene introduction methods affect the shoot regeneration and localization of transgene expression in greenhouse stem explants and in vitro-grown chrysanthemum stem thin cell layers

Gene introduction method (GIM) affected shoot regeneration capacity (SRC) in standard and spray-type chrysanthemums. SRC was both cultivar and GIM-dependent in both in vitro and greenhouse stem explants, the former significantly higher than the latter. Sonication had an SRC-stimulating effect on in vitro explants. Other GIMs (Agrobacterium, biolistics, Agrolistics) had an SRC-inhibiting effect on greenhouse explants. Genotype-dependence of SRC was observed in both in vitro and greenhouse material. SRC is influenced by the explant and regeneration media, which should be modified if altered by the GIM. Shoots derived from all GIM treatments showed normal growth under in vitro and greenhouse conditions, and flowered normally. In addition, this study further shows that explant origin (in vitro versus greenhouse) and cultivar significantly affect the regeneration process, even when an optimized medium is utilized. The integration of the GUS transgene is also GIM-dependent, but in all cases is shown to occur in the venation. (African Journal of Biotechnology: 2003 2(5): 114-123

Respon Tanaman Kacang-Kacangan yang Bersifat Determinate dan Indeterminate pada Berbagai Kondisi Ketersediaan Air

Growth and yield of soybean and blackgram, having determinate and indeterminate in flowering respectively, were compared under three water regimes. Under well-watered conditions, blackgram continuously produces flowers where under rainfed + irrigation and rainfed condition, two periods of flowering can be distinguished. While only one period of flowering was observed in soybean. The second flush of flowering of blackgram in rainfed and rainfed + irrigation areas occurred during high rain fall. Partial irrigation as much as 80 mm toward the end of pod filling in soybean did not give benefit to soybean, but irrigation stimulate flowering in blackgram and increase yield up to 25%. Thus indeterminate behavior might give higher yield under rainfed condition due to its flexibility of flowering

The Cgl1281-encoding putative transporter of the cation diffusion facilitator family is responsible for alkali-tolerance in Corynebacterium glutamicum

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com.ArticleARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY. 190(5): 531-538 (2008)journal articl