A Language for Multi-dimensional Updates

Dynamic Logic Programming (DLP) was introduced to deal with knowledge about changing worlds, by assigning semantics to sequences of generalized logic programs, each of which represents a state of the world. These states permit the representation, not only of time, but also of specificity, strength of updating instance, hierarchical position of the knowledge source, etc. Subsequently, the Language of Updates LUPS was introduced to allow for the association, with each state, of a set of transition rules. It thereby provides for an interleaving sequence of states and transition rules within an integrated declarative framework. DLP (and LUPS), because defined only for a linear sequence of states, cannot deal simultaneously with more than a single dimension (e.g. time, hierarchies,…). To overcome this limitation, Multi-dimensional Dynamic Logic Programming (MDLP) was therefore introduced, so as to make it possible to organize states into arbitrary acyclic digraphs (DAGs). In this paper we now extend LUPS, setting forth a Language for Multi-dimensional Updates (MLUPS). MLUPS admits the specification of flexible evolutions of such DAG organized logic programs, by allowing not just the specification of the logic programs representing each state, but to the evolution of the DAG topology itself as well.     

A survey of research and studies on design

This review is based on two hundred responses to a questionnaire designed by the Design Methodology Unit, Department of Praxiology, Polish Academy of Sciences. On the basis of the replies it shows the state of research in design and the applied sciences.     

Accumulation of Fumonisins in Maize Hybrids Inoculated under Field Conditions with Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon

The accumulation of fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) and fumonisin B₂ (FB₂) after inoculation of 14 maize hybrids with Fusarium moniliforme has been examined in Poland during the seasons 1992–1995. Fumonisins have been detected in all 14 hybrids in amounts ranging from 0·09 mg kg^-1 FB₁+0·02 mg kg^-1 FB₂ to 93·2 mg kg^-1 FB₁+15·8 mg kg^-1 FB₂. Inoculated ears contained from <1% up to 60% of Fusarium damaged (=mouldy) kernels (FDK). Fumonisins' levels in FDK ranged from 5·1 mg kg^-1 FB₁+1·4 mg kg^-1 FB₂ up to 196·0 mg kg^-1 FB₁+62·0 mg kg^-1 FB₂. Significant influence of the year of inoculation on ear infection and fumonisins accumulation was observed. Only one hybrid (Mona) exhibited low disease score, low percentage of FDK (1·1–2·6%) and low levels of fumonisins (FB₁ from 0·09 to 1·66 mg kg^-1 and FB₂ from 0·02 to 0·42 mg kg^-1) during 3 years of experiments. © 1997 SCI.     

Esterification kinetics of glycerol with fatty acids in the presence of sodium and potassium soaps

The kinetics of the direct esterification of glycerol with fatty acids in the presence of sodium and potassium soaps, synthesized in situ to obtain modified acylglycerol emulsifiers, were investigated. The effect of temperature, soap concentration and fatty acid hydrocarbon chain length on the concentration of monoacylglycerols in the reaction mixture was examined. The kinetic studies proved that esterification of glycerol with fatty acids by our method is a first order consecutive reaction with monoacylglycerol as stable intermediate product. The corresponding rate constants and activation energies were evaluated. With the known reaction rate constants, the maximum concentration of monoacylglycerol may be calculated. It was stated that the proposed method opens up possibilities for a specific adjustment of the acylglycerol composition and, thus, of the hydrophilic-lipophilic properties and the characteristics of the emulsifier.     

Synthesis of Gonadoliberin,a gonadotropin releasing hormone

A simple laboratory synthesis of gonadoliberin was elaborated basing on classical solution methods and using minimal protection of side-chain functions. In the final step a hexapeptide segment was condensed with the corresponding tetrapeptide and the obtained product was purified by a single step silica gel chromatography. The total efficiency of the whole synthesis was 15%.     

Colour appearance in immersive three‐dimensional virtual environments

Technology is constantly evolving and, consequently, all the technological advances taking place are regularly integrated into the daily life of society. During recent years, there has been a trend towards virtual resources such as teleworking, telemedicine and e‐commerce. In many countries, this virtualisation process has been accelerated by the changing circumstances caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic. In any case, there is a growing demand for virtual systems, and virtual reality is a suitable field for the application of a multitude of solutions. However, advances in virtual reality occur without any regard to colour science, and there are several challenges to be overcome to improve the visual appearance and fidelity of colour reproduction in all types of related devices. This paper discusses three open issues related to the visual appearance and visual fidelity of virtual reality systems. We believe it is necessary to direct future research efforts in each of these directions to secure improvements in the visual fidelity of virtual reality systems.     

Bacteria Single-Cell and Photosensitizer Interaction Revealed by Quantitative Phase Imaging

Quantifying changes in bacteria cells in the presence of antibacterial treatment is one of the main challenges facing contemporary medicine; it is a challenge that is relevant for tackling issues pertaining to bacterial biofilm formation that substantially decreases susceptibility to biocidal agents. Three-dimensional label-free imaging and quantitative analysis of bacteria–photosensitizer interactions, crucial for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, is still limited due to the use of conventional imaging techniques. We present a new method for investigating the alterations in living cells and quantitatively analyzing the process of bacteria photodynamic inactivation. Digital holographic tomography (DHT) was used for in situ examination of the response of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to the accumulation of the photosensitizers immobilized in the copolymer revealed by the changes in the 3D refractive index distributions of single cells. Obtained results were confirmed by confocal microscopy and statistical analysis. We demonstrated that DHT enables real-time characterization of the subcellular structures, the biophysical processes, and the induced local changes of the intracellular density in a label-free manner and at sub-micrometer spatial resolution.     

Thermal effect of radiation on dye-doped polystyrene particles covered with a silver layer

The heating of laser-irradiated two-layer spherical particles is analyzed theoretically and numerically by solution of the heat conduction equation. The internal heat source function and temperature distributions are presented for particles composed of a dye-doped polystyrene core and a deposited silver shell. It is shown that the internal heat source function distributions inside such particles substantially depend on core radii and shell thicknesses. Therefore the same parameters also strongly influence the heating times of such particles. In particular, the increase in thickness of the surface silver layer can result both in reduction of the heating time of two-layer particles and in strong growth of the heating time.