Network-Growth Rule Dependence of Fractal Dimension of Percolation Cluster on Square Lattice

To investigate the network-growth rule dependence of certain geometric aspects of percolation clusters, we propose a generalized network-growth rule introducing a generalized parameter $q$ and we study the time evolution of the network. The rule we propose includes a rule in which elements are randomly connected step by step and the rule recently proposed by Achlioptas {\it et al.} [Science {\bf 323} (2009) 1453]. We consider the $q$-dependence of the dynamics of the number of elements in the largest cluster. As $q$ increases, the percolation step is delayed. Moreover, we also study the $q$-dependence of the roughness and the fractal dimension of the percolation cluster.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Journal of the Physical Society of Japa

A Theory of Multidimensional Information Disclosure

We study disclosure of information about the multidimensional state of the world when uninformed receivers' actions affect the sender's utility. Given a disclosure rule, the receivers form an expectation about the state following each message. Under the assumption that the senderfs expected utility is written as the expected value of a quadratic function of those conditional expectations, we identify conditions under which full and no disclosure is optimal for the sender and show that a linear transformation of the state is optimal if it is normally distributed. We apply our theory to advertising, political campaigning, and monetary policy.

A Method to Change Phase Transition Nature -- Toward Annealing Method --

In this paper, we review a way to change nature of phase transition with annealing methods in mind. Annealing methods are regarded as a general technique to solve optimization problems efficiently. In annealing methods, we introduce a controllable parameter which represents a kind of fluctuation and decrease the parameter gradually. Annealing methods face with a difficulty when a phase transition point exists during the protocol. Then, it is important to develop a method to avoid the phase transition by introducing a new type of fluctuation. By taking the Potts model for instance, we review a way to change the phase transition nature. Although the method described in this paper does not succeed to avoid the phase transition, we believe that the concept of the method will be useful for optimization problems.Comment: 27 pages, 3 figures, revised version will appear in proceedings of Kinki University Quantum Computing Series Vo.

Quantum Annealing: from Viewpoints of Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Computational Physics

In this paper, we review some features of quantum annealing and related topics from viewpoints of statistical physics, condensed matter physics, and computational physics. We can obtain a better solution of optimization problems in many cases by using the quantum annealing. Actually the efficiency of the quantum annealing has been demonstrated for problems based on statistical physics. Then the quantum annealing has been expected to be an efficient and generic solver of optimization problems. Since many implementation methods of the quantum annealing have been developed and will be proposed in the future, theoretical frameworks of wide area of science and experimental technologies will be evolved through studies of the quantum annealing.Comment: 57pages, 15figures, to appear in "Lectures on Quantum Computing, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics," Kinki University Series on Quantum Computing (World Scientific, 2012

Establishing a rapid and effective method for screening salt tolerance in soybean

Chlorine (Cl) toxicity has been recognized as a constraint for soybean production. Although the use of a Cl-tolerant crop easily solves the problem, current screening methodologies for Cl tolerance are often ineffective because of inadequate means of detecting and measuring plant response to salinity. In order to facilitate the evaluation process and selection of Cl-tolerant genotypes, a study was conducted to develop a rapid and effective method for screening Cl tolerance in soybean. Seeds of five soybean cultivars, each representing either the includer or excluder genotype to salt stress, were grown in a greenhouse in two different growing media (potting mix or sandy loam) with four different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. Visual symptoms of Cl toxicity were rated on a 1 to 6 scale (1 as healthy and 6 as dead), and the score was compared with relative shoot/ root dry weight and Cl concentration in shoot/root to corroborate the accuracy of the visual ratings. Reduced dry weight was associated with higher Cl concentrations in both root and shoot tissues. The optimal NaCl concentration for screening was determined as 120 mM NaCl since it effectively differentiated excluders from includers. There were negative, significant correlations between relative shoot dry weight and Cl concentration in shoot tissue (r = -0.91 p = 0.05), and Cl concentration in shoot was also significantly correlated with visual rating score (r = 0.79 p = 0.05). The presented methodology is simple, rapid, and effective for screening for salt tolerance in soybean