Abstract: A neural network is implemented as a memristive neuromorphic circuit that includes a neuron circuit and a memristive device connected to the neuron circuit. A conductance balanced voltage pair is provided for the memristive device, where the conductance balanced voltage pair includes a set voltage for increasing the conductance of the memristive device and a reset voltage for decreasing the conductance of the memristive device. Either the set voltage and reset voltage, when applied to the memristive device, effects a substantially same magnitude conductance change in the memristive device over a predetermined range of conductance of the memristive device. The provided voltage pair is stored as a conductance balanced map. A training voltage based on the conductance balanced map is applied to the memristive device to train the neural network.

Abstract: A neural network is implemented as a memristive neuromorphic circuit that includes a neuron circuit and a memristive device connected to the neuron circuit. An input voltage is sensed at a first terminal of a memristive device during a feedforward operation of the neural network. An error voltage is sensed at a second terminal of the memristive device during an error backpropagation operation of the neural network. In accordance with a training rule, a desired conductance change for the memristive device is computed based on the sensed input voltage and the sensed error voltage. Then a training voltage is applied to the memristive device. Here, the training voltage is proportional to a logarithmic value of the desired conductance change.

Abstract: A neural network is implemented as a memristive neuromorphic circuit that includes a neuron circuit and a memristive device connected to the neuron circuit. A conductance balanced voltage pair is provided for the memristive device, where the conductance balanced voltage pair includes a set voltage for increasing the conductance of the memristive device and a reset voltage for decreasing the conductance of the memristive device. Either the set voltage and reset voltage, when applied to the memristive device, effects a substantially same magnitude conductance change in the memristive device over a predetermined range of conductance of the memristive device. The provided voltage pair is stored as a conductance balanced map. A training voltage based on the conductance balanced map is applied to the memristive device to train the neural network.

Abstract: Provided herein are plants having altered expression of a GAUT polypeptide. Such plants have phenotypes that may include decreased recalcitrance, increased growth, decreased lignin content, or a combination thereof. Also provided herein are methods of making and using such plants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of degrading plant biomass, and microorganisms and polypeptides used in such methods, hi certain embodiments, the methods include growing Anaerocellum thermophilum on a substrate that comprises plant biomass under conditions effective for the A. thermophilum to convert at least a portion of the plant biomass to a water soluble product or a water insoluble product, hi some cases, the method can further include one or more steps to further process the water soluble product or a water insoluble product to produce, for example, a biofuel or commodity chemical. In another aspect, microorganisms that include at least one A. thermophilum plant biomass utilization polynucleotide are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of transferring one or more A. thermophilum plant biomass utilization polynucleotides to a recipient microorganism. A. thermophilum plant biomass utilization polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are four phenolic acid esterases, three of which correspond to domains of previously unknown function within bacterial xylanases, from XynY and XynZ of Clostridium thermocellum and from a feruloyl esterase of Ruminococcus. The fourth specifically exemplified phenolic acid esterase is a protein encoded within the genome of Orpinomyces PC-2. The amino acids of these polypeptides and nucleotide sequences encoding them are provided. Recombinant host cells, expression vectors and methods for the recombinant production of phenolic acid esterases are also provided. Further provided are methods for improving nutrient availability and ferulic acid availability when food or feed, or other material is treated with a phenolic acid esterase, desirably in combination with a xylanase.

Abstract: Described herein are four phenolic acid esterases, three of which correspond to domains of previously unknown function within bacterial xylanases, from XynY and XynZ of Clostridium thermocellum and from a xylanase of Ruminococcus. The fourth specifically exemplified xylanase is a protein encoded within the genome of Orpinomyces PC-2. The amino acids of these polypeptides and nucleotide sequences encoding them are provided. Recombinant host cells, expression vectors and methods for the recombinant production of phenolic acid esterases are also provided.