As the demand for data reliability increases, coding for error control becomes increasingly important in data transmission systems and has become an integral part of almost all data communication system designs. In recent years, various trellis-based soft-decoding algorithms for linear block codes have been devised. New ideas developed in the study of trellis structure of block codes can be used for improving decoding and analyzing the trellis complexity of convolutional codes. These recent developments provide practicing communication engineers with more choices when designing error control systems. Trellises and Trellis-based Decoding Algorithms for Linear Block Codes combines trellises and trellis-based decoding algorithms for linear codes together in a simple and unified form. The approach is to explain the material in an easily understood manner with minimal mathematical rigor. Trellises and Trellis-based Decoding Algorithms for Linear Block Codes is intended for practicing communication engineers who want to have a fast grasp and understanding of the subject. Only material considered essential and useful for practical applications is included. This book can also be used as a text for advanced courses on the subject.

This book reviews all aspects of boron research in recent years and is based on the Third International Symposium on all Aspects of Plant and Animal Boron Nutrition. This includes B sorption mechanisms in soils, deficiency and toxicity of B, B fertilizer application and basic research on the physiology and molecular biology of plant B nutrition, and nutritional function of B in animals and humans.

Boron is one of the essential micro nutrients for higher plants growth and development, and more and more studies have been conducted to establish boron as an essential element in animals and humans. This book reviews all aspects of boron research in recent years and is based on the Third International Symposium on all Aspects of Plant and Animal Boron Nutrition which was held in Wuhan, P.R. China in 2005. This includes B sorption mechanisms in soils, deficiency and toxicity of B, B fertilizer application and basic research on the physiology and molecular biology of plant B nutrition, and nutritional function of B in animals and humans. This book is aimed at scientists, Masters or Ph. D. students focusing on boron research field, as well as providing managers involved in agricultural production with an important reference to recent developments in boron nutrition research.

As the demand for data reliability increases, coding for error control becomes increasingly important in data transmission systems and has become an integral part of almost all data communication system designs. In recent years, various trellis-based soft-decoding algorithms for linear block codes have been devised. New ideas developed in the study of trellis structure of block codes can be used for improving decoding and analyzing the trellis complexity of convolutional codes. These recent developments provide practicing communication engineers with more choices when designing error control systems. Trellises and Trellis-based Decoding Algorithms for Linear Block Codes combines trellises and trellis-based decoding algorithms for linear codes together in a simple and unified form. The approach is to explain the material in an easily understood manner with minimal mathematical rigor. Trellises and Trellis-based Decoding Algorithms for Linear Block Codes is intended for practicing communication engineers who want to have a fast grasp and understanding of the subject. Only material considered essential and useful for practical applications is included. This book can also be used as a text for advanced courses on the subject.

Plant Micronutrient Use Efficiency: Molecular and Genomic Perspectives in Crop Plants presents information on the complex mechanisms regulating micronutrient use efficiency in plants. Understanding this science is essential for the development of new varieties of crop plants that are more resilient to micronutrient stress, as well as plants with increased bioavailable concentrations of essential micronutrients. This book explores the discovery of novel genes and key metabolic pathways associated with micronutrient use efficiency in plants, gives an analyses of the gene expression patterns in plants in response to low and/or high nutrient levels, and investigates the potential functions of these genes and their products. Strategies to enhance micronutrient use efficiency and stress tolerance, to develop bio-fortified crop, and to improve the sustainable utilization of natural resources are critically evaluated. The book contains both fundamental and advanced information as well as critical commentaries that are useful for those involved in the various fields that make up the plant sciences.

Plant Macronutrient Use Efficiency presents an up-to-date overview of the latest research on the molecular and genetic basis of macro-nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in plants, and strategies that can be used to improve NUE and nutrient-associated stress tolerance in crop plants. Plant NUE is a measure of how efficiently plants use available nutrients and an understanding of plant NUE has the potential to help improve the use of limited natural resources and to help achieve global food security. This book presents information important for the development of crop plants with improved macro-NUE, a prerequisite to reducing production costs, expanding crop production into noncompetitive marginal lands with low nutrient resources, and for helping to prevent environmental contamination. Plant Macronutrient Use Efficiency provides a comprehensive overview of the complex mechanisms regulating macro-NUE in crop plants, which is required if plant breeders are to develop modern crop varieties that are more resilient to nutrient-associated stress. Identification of genes responsible for macro-NUE and nutrient-related stress tolerance in crop plants will help us to understand the molecular mechanisms associated with the responses of crop plants to nutrient stress. This volume contains both fundamental and advanced information, and critical commentaries useful for those in all fields of plant science research.

Several classes of microorganisms have been recognized as extremophiles inhabiting in an extreme environments of heat or cold, pH, salinity, pressure, and even radiation. These extremophiles, having many interesting biological secrets, provide a novel source of discoveries in applied and basic sciences. We studied a new frontier in extremophiles, i.e., microorganisms tolerating toxic levels of boron. Boron (B), a non-metal micronutrient, has been known to be essential for plants since long. Some animals and unicellular eukaryotes also require B but the level of requirement differs among various organisms. On the other hand, B is toxic to living cells when present above a certain threshold. Environmental B toxicity occurs in many parts of the world and B contaminated soils are difficult to ameliorate. Due to its toxic effects for microorganisms, B has been used as a food preservative. During these studies, several novel species of boron-requiring and boron- tolerant bacteria have been identified. Among these, Bacillus boroniphilus was found to be very interesting. It not only needs boron but also highly tolerant to toxic concentration of boron.