On Systems Thinking, Systems Biology, and the in Silico Plant

The recent summary report of a Department of Energy Workshop on Plant Systems Biology (P.V. Minorsky [2003] Plant Physiol 132: 404-409) offered a welcomed advocacy for systems analysis as essential in understanding plant development, growth, and production. The goal of the Workshop was to consider methods for relating the results of molecular research to real-world challenges in plant production for increased food supplies, alternative energy sources, and environmental improvement. The rather surprising feature of this report, however, was that the Workshop largely overlooked the rich history of plant systems analysis extending over nearly 40 years (Sinclair and Seligman, 1996) that has considered exactly those challenges targeted by the Workshop. Past systems research has explored and incorporated biochemical and physiological knowledge into plant simulation models from a number of perspectives. The research has resulted in considerable understanding and insight about how to simulate plant systems and the relative contribution of various factors in influencing plant production. These past activities have contributed directly to research focused on solving the problems of increasing biomass production and crop yields. These modeling approaches are also now providing an avenue to enhance integration of molecular genetic technologies in plant improvement (Hammer et al., 2002).

Relation between high-tc superconductivity and structure - a study of la3-xba3+xcu6o14+delta and yba2cu3o7-delta systems

Superconductivity is found in tetragonal La3−x Ba3+x Cu6O14+δ and La, Ba)6−x Sr x Cu6O14+δ even though they do not possess Cu-O chains or the K2NiF4 structure. Resistivity measurements confirm the occurrence of a transformation from chain-superconductivity to sheet-superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O7−δ as δ is varied in the range 0.0–0.5.

Reactivity of Cationic Terminal Borylene Complexes: Novel Mechanisms for Insertion and Metathesis Chemistry Involving Strongly Lewis Acidic Ligand Systems

The reactions of terminal borylene complexes of the type [CpFe(CO)(2)(BNR2)](+) (R = `Pr, Cy) with heteroallenes have been investigated by quantum-chemical methods, in an attempt to explain the experimentally observed product distributions. Reaction with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (CyNCNCy) gives a bis-insertion product, in which 1 equiv of carbodiimide is assimilated into each of the Fe=B and B=N double bonds to form a spirocyclic boronium system. In contrast, isocyanates (R'NCO, R' = Ph, 2,6-wXy1, CY; XYl = C6H3Me2) react to give isonitrile complexes of the type [CpFe(CO)(2)(CNR')]+, via a net oxygen abstraction (or formal metathesis) process. Both carbodiimide and socyanate substrates are shown to prefer initial attack at the Fe=B bond rather than the B=N bond of the borylene complex. Further mechanistic studies reveal that the carbodiimide reaction ultimately leads to the bis-insertion compounds [CpFe(CO)(2)C(NCy)(2)B(NCY)(2)CNR2](+), rather than to the isonitrile system [CpFe(CO)(2)(CNCy)](+), on the basis of both thermodynamic (product stability) and kinetic considerations (barrier heights). The mechanism of the initial carbodiimide insertion process is unusual in that it involves coordination of the substrate at the (borylene) ligand followed by migration of the metal fragment, rather than a more conventional process: i.e., coordination of the unsaturated substrate at the metal followed by ligand migration. In the case of isocyanate substrates, metathesis products are competitive with those from the insertion pathway. Direct, single-step metathesis reactivity to give products containing a coordinated isonitrile ligand (i.e. [CpFe(CO)(2)(CNR')](+)) is facile if initial coordination of the isocyanate at boron occurs via the oxygen donor (which is kinetically favored); insertion chemistry is feasible when the isocyanate attacks initially via the nitrogen atom. However, even in the latter case, further reaction of the monoinsertion product so formed with excess isocyanate offers a number of facile (low energetic barrier) routes which also generate ['CpFe(CO)(2)(CNR')](+), rather than the bis-insertion product [CpFe(CO)(2)C(NR')(O)B(NR')(O)CNR2](+) (i.e., the direct analogue of the observed products in the carbodiimide reaction).

Evaluating legume species as alternative trap crops to chickpea for management of Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in central Queensland cotton cropping systems

Mounting levels of insecticide resistance within Australian Helicoverpa spp. populations have resulted in the adoption of non-chemical IPM control practices such as trap cropping with chickpea, Cicer arietinum (L.). However, a new leaf blight disease affecting chickpea in Australia has the potential to limit its use as a trap crop. Therefore this paper evaluates the potential of a variety of winter-active legume crops for use as an alternative spring trap crop to chickpea as part of an effort to improve the area-wide management strategy for Helicoverpa spp. in central Queensland’s cotton production region. The densities of Helicoverpa eggs and larvae were compared over three seasons on replicated plantings of chickpea, Cicer arietinum (L.), field pea Pisum sativum (L), vetch, Vicia sativa (L.) and faba bean, Vicia faba (L.). Of these treatments, field pea was found to harbour the highest densities of eggs. A partial life table study of the fate of eggs oviposited on field pea and chickpea suggested that large proportions of the eggs laid on field pea suffered mortality due to dislodgment from the plants after oviposition. Plantings of field pea as a replacement trap crop for chickpea under commercial conditions confirmed the high level of attractiveness of this crop to ovipositing moths. The use of field pea as a trap crop as part of an areawide management programme for Helicoverpa spp. is discussed.

Embedding EfS in teacher education through a multi-level systems approach: Lessons from Queensland

This paper reports on the fourth stage of an evolving study to develop a systems model for embedding education for sustainability (EfS) into pre-service teacher education. The fourth stage trialled the extension of the model to a comprehensive state-wide systems approach involving representatives from all eight Queensland teacher education institutions and other key policy agencies and professional associations. Support for trialling the model included regular meetings among the participating representatives and an implementation guide. This paper describes the first three stages of developing and trialling the model before presenting the case study and action research methods employed, four key lessons learned from the project, and the implications of the major outcomes for teacher education policies and practices. The Queensland-wide multi-site case study revealed processes and strategies that can enable institutional change agents to engage productively in building capacity for embedding EfS at the individual, institutional and state levels in pre-service teacher education. Collectively, the project components provide a system-wide framework that offers strategies, examples, insights and resources that can serve as a model for other states and/or territories wishing to implement EfS in a systematic and coherent fashion.

Exploring profit - Sustainability trade-offs in cropping systems using evolutionary algorithms

Models that implement the bio-physical components of agro-ecosystems are ideally suited for exploring sustainability issues in cropping systems. Sustainability may be represented as a number of objectives to be maximised or minimised. However, the full decision space of these objectives is usually very large and simplifications are necessary to safeguard computational feasibility. Different optimisation approaches have been proposed in the literature, usually based on mathematical programming techniques. Here, we present a search approach based on a multiobjective evaluation technique within an evolutionary algorithm (EA), linked to the APSIM cropping systems model. A simple case study addressing crop choice and sowing rules in North-East Australian cropping systems is used to illustrate the methodology. Sustainability of these systems is evaluated in terms of economic performance and resource use. Due to the limited size of this sample problem, the quality of the EA optimisation can be assessed by comparison to the full problem domain. Results demonstrate that the EA procedure, parameterised with generic parameters from the literature, converges to a useable solution set within a reasonable amount of time. Frontier ‘‘peels’’ or Pareto-optimal solutions as described by the multiobjective evaluation procedure provide useful information for discussion on trade-offs between conflicting objectives.

A Survey of autonomous vision-based See and Avoid for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the vision-based See and Avoid problem for unmanned aircraft. The unique problem environment and associated constraints are detailed, followed by an in-depth analysis of visual sensing limitations. In light of such detection and estimation constraints, relevant human, aircraft and robot collision avoidance concepts are then compared from a decision and control perspective. Remarks on system evaluation and certification are also included to provide a holistic review approach. The intention of this work is to clarify common misconceptions, realistically bound feasible design expectations and offer new research directions. It is hoped that this paper will help us to unify design efforts across the aerospace and robotics communities.

A global convergence criterion for discrete-time multivariable adaptive systems

The paper deals with the basic problem of adjusting a matrix gain in a discrete-time linear multivariable system. The object is to obtain a global convergence criterion, i.e. conditions under which a specified error signal asymptotically approaches zero and other signals in the system remain bounded for arbitrary initial conditions and for any bounded input to the system. It is shown that for a class of up-dating algorithms for the adjustable gain matrix, global convergence is crucially dependent on a transfer matrix G(z) which has a simple block diagram interpretation. When w(z)G(z) is strictly discrete positive real for a scalar w(z) such that w-1(z) is strictly proper with poles and zeros within the unit circle, an augmented error scheme is suggested and is proved to result in global convergence. The solution avoids feeding back a quadratic term as recommended in other schemes for single-input single-output systems.

Inferential, non-parametric statistics to assess quality of probabilistic forecast systems

Many statistical forecast systems are available to interested users. In order to be useful for decision-making, these systems must be based on evidence of underlying mechanisms. Once causal connections between the mechanism and their statistical manifestation have been firmly established, the forecasts must also provide some quantitative evidence of `quality’. However, the quality of statistical climate forecast systems (forecast quality) is an ill-defined and frequently misunderstood property. Often, providers and users of such forecast systems are unclear about what ‘quality’ entails and how to measure it, leading to confusion and misinformation. Here we present a generic framework to quantify aspects of forecast quality using an inferential approach to calculate nominal significance levels (p-values) that can be obtained either by directly applying non-parametric statistical tests such as Kruskal-Wallis (KW) or Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) or by using Monte-Carlo methods (in the case of forecast skill scores). Once converted to p-values, these forecast quality measures provide a means to objectively evaluate and compare temporal and spatial patterns of forecast quality across datasets and forecast systems. Our analysis demonstrates the importance of providing p-values rather than adopting some arbitrarily chosen significance levels such as p < 0.05 or p < 0.01, which is still common practice. This is illustrated by applying non-parametric tests (such as KW and KS) and skill scoring methods (LEPS and RPSS) to the 5-phase Southern Oscillation Index classification system using historical rainfall data from Australia, The Republic of South Africa and India. The selection of quality measures is solely based on their common use and does not constitute endorsement. We found that non-parametric statistical tests can be adequate proxies for skill measures such as LEPS or RPSS. The framework can be implemented anywhere, regardless of dataset, forecast system or quality measure. Eventually such inferential evidence should be complimented by descriptive statistical methods in order to fully assist in operational risk management.

Metabolism of 1,8-Cineole in Rat: Its Effects on Liver and Lung Microsomal Cytochrome P-450 Systems

The monoterpene cyclic ether, cineole (l,8-cineole, I) also known as eucalyptol, is a component of many essential oils and is widely distributed in nature. It is extensively used in pharmaceutical preparations for external application and also as a nasal spray. It was reported earlier that cineole when administered to sheep may be largely oxidized in the system (Scheline 1978). However the mode of metabolism of cineole is not known. Hence the present study was undertaken to investigate the metabolic fate of this ubiquitous terpenoid following its administration to rats by gastric intubation.

High-Tc superconductivity in the Er---Ba---Cu---O and related systems

ErBa2Cu3O7 and Er0.5Y0.5Ba2Cu3O7 are both high-Tc superconductors attaining zero resistance above 80 K. Preliminary studies indicate that Yb1−xYxBa2Cu3O7 also exhibits zero resistance above 77 K.

Comparative immunogenicity of M. hyopneumoniae NrdF encoded in different expression systems delivered orally via attenuated S. typhimurium aroA in mice.

The Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae ribonucleotide reductase R2 subunit (NrdF) gene fragment was cloned into eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression vectors and its immunogenicity evaluated in mice immunized orally with attenuated Salmonella typhimurium aroA CS332 harboring either of the recombinant expression plasmids. We found that NrdF is highly conserved among M. hyopneumoniae strains. The immunogenicity of NrdF was examined by analyzing antibody responses in sera and lung washes, and the cell-mediated immune (CMI) response was assessed by determining the INF-[gamma] level produced by splenocytes upon in vitro stimulation with NrdF antigen. S. typhimurium expressing NrdF encoded by the prokaryotic expression plasmid (pTrcNrdF) failed to elicit an NrdF-specific serum or secretory antibody response, and IFN-[gamma] was not produced. Similarly, S. typhimurium carrying the eukaryotic recombinant plasmid encoding NrdF (pcNrdF) did not induce a serum or secretory antibody response, but did elicit significant NrdF-specific IFN-[gamma] production, indicating induction of a CMI response. However, analysis of immune responses against the live vector S. typhimurium aroA CS332 showed a serum IgG response but no mucosal IgA response in spite of its efficient invasiveness in vitro. In the present study we show that the DNA vaccine encoding the M. hyopneumoniae antigen delivered orally via a live attenuated S. typhimurium aroA can induce a cell-mediated immune response. We also indicate that different live bacterial vaccine carriers may have an influence on the type of the immune response induced.

Enhanced ionic conduction in dispersed solid electrolyte systems CaF2---Al2O3 and CaF2---CeO2

Dispersions of Al2O3 as well as CeO2 in CaF2 are found to enhance the conductivity of CaF2. Both these systems are biphasic and the electrical conduction in them is purely ionic in nature. At 650 K the increase in the ionic conductivity of the dispersed solid electrolyte system CaF2---Al2O3 is by about two orders of magnitude in relation to the conductivity of the host electrolyte CaF2, whereas for the CaF2---CeO2 system it is about three orders of magnitude. Some aspects of the increase in the ionic conductivities of CaF2---Al2O3 and CaF2---CeO2 electrolytes can be explained by a recent theoretical model. It is proposed that a substantial enhancement in the vacancy concentration of CaF2, brought about by the attraction of F− ions to the surface of Al2O3 (or CeO2), is responsible for the low temperature increase in the ionic conductivity of CaF2.

The Origin of Regioselectivity in a-Cleavage Reactions of Cyclopropenethiones: Potential Role of Pseudo-Jahn-Teller Effect in Substituted Cyclopropenyl Systems

Arylalkylcyclopropenethiones undergo highly regioselective photochemical a-cleavage via thioketene carbene intermediates, giving rise to products derived from the less stabilized carbene. UHF MIND0/3 calculations provide an insight into this unexpected regioselectivity. The nx* triplet of cyclopropenethione is calculated to have a highly unsymmetrical geometry with an elongated C-C bond, a delocalized thiaaUyl fragment, and a pyramidal radicaloid carbon (which eventually becomes the carbene center). From this molecular electronic structure, aryl group stabilization is expected to be more effective at the thiaallyl group rather than at the pyramidal radical center. Thus, the stability of the substituted triplet thione rather than that of the thioketene carbene determines the preferred regiochemistry of cleavage. The unusual structure of the cyclopropenethione triplet is suggested to be related to one of the Jahn-Teller distorted forms of the cyclopropenyl radical. An alternative symmetrical structure is adopted by the corresponding triplet of cyclopropenone, partly accounting for its differing photobehavior. A similar structural dichotomy is demonstrated for the corresponding radical anions as well.

Theory For The Anomalous Hall Constant Of Mixed-Valence Systems

We show that the large anomalous Hall constants of mixed-valence and Kondo-lattice systems can be understood in terms of a simple resonant-level Fermi-liquid model. Splitting of a narrow, orbitally unquenched, spin-orbit split, f resonance in a magnetic field leads to strong skew scattering of band electrons. We interpret both the anomalous signs and the strong temperature dependence of Hall mobilities in CeCu2Si2, SmB6, and CePd3 in terms of this theory.