Abstract: An apparatus of analog-neuron includes a synapse circuit for performing arithmetic processing for multiplying an input signal that arrives at an input terminal by a weight value, a synapse output holding means for holding an output signal of the synapse circuit, and a power control unit for controlling whether to supply power at least to the synapse circuit or to stop supplying power in response to whether the input signal has arrived at the input terminal or has been lost.

Abstract: A neural network not requiring massive changes in configuration when changing the number of stages (number of levels) of the neural network. This neural network is provided with at least one neuron core 10 performing an analog multiply-accumulate operation and a weight-value-supply control unit 30 supplying the weight value to the neuron core 10. This neural network is subjected to control processing by a control-processor unit 40 controlling the supply of the weight value from said weight-value-supply control unit 30 in synchronization with the timing of the analog multiply-accumulate operation of the neuron core 10, and processing the data output from the neuron core 10 at every analog multiply-accumulate operation performed by said neuron core as serial data and/or parallel data.

Abstract: Confectionery products are made from brown rice by germinating steam-cooked brown rice and then making the same, optionally with up to 90% by wt of steam-cooked white rice and/or polished wheat, into koji by the usual procedure for making koji by inoculation with the mold Aspergillus oryzae; subjecting the koji, optionally with a minor amount of maltose, to a primary fermentation in the presence of an enzyme mixture comprising enzymes capable of decomposing the starch, protein, and lipids therein to yield a substantially completely liquified solution; subjecting the resultant solution to a secondary fermentation with baker's yeast, optionally with an enzyme mixture similar to that for the primary fermentation, to saccharify the same into sugars: and concentrating the saccharified solution into a syrupy or solid confectionery product, optionally with sufficient sugar added to aid in solidification.