title: Automated deduction of finite-state control programs for reactive systems

authors: Malik, Robi

subjects: computer science

abstract: We propose an approach towards the automatic synthesis of finite-state reactive control programs from purely declarative, logic specifications of their requirements. More precisely, if P is a set of propositional temporal logic formulas, representing the environment of a reactive system, and if a is a propositional formula, representing a safety requirement, then we point out how to deduce a most general set C of formulas, representing a control program, such that P ∪ C ≒ α.

text: Automated deduction of finite-state control programs for reactive systems We propose an approach towards the automatic synthesis of finite-state reactive control programs from purely declarative, logic specifications of their requirements. More precisely, if P is a set of propositional temporal logic formulas, representing the environment of a reactive system, and if a is a propositional formula, representing a safety requirement, then we point out how to deduce a most general set C of formulas, representing a control program, such that P ∪ C ≒ α.

year: 1998

title: Anaerobic transformation of halocarboxylic acids and phenolic compounds by photosynthetic bacteria

authors: McGrath, Jason Edward

abstract: The ability of photosynthetic bacteria to transform phenolic compounds and halocarboxylic acids under photoheterotrophic growth conditions was assessed and studied. 
Attempts to isolate strains of phototrophic bacteria capable of degrading phenolic compounds yielded a strain of the purple nonsulfur bacteria species Rhodopseudomonas palustris. The isolated strain showed growth to a high cell density on phenol, although this may have been in conjunction with a sulfate reducing bacteria. Certain type strains of purple nonsulfur bacteria were able to grow on phenol and a small number of substituted phenols. Rhodospirillum rubrum DSM 467 showed growth to a high cell density on the pesticide 2,4- dinitrophenol at a concentration of 1.5 mM. The initial step in the degradation was shown to be a reduction of the ortho-nitro group to an amino group, transforming the compound to 2-amino-4-nitrophenol. 

A number of purple nonsulfur bacteria type strains were reported for the first time to utilise halocarboxylic acids for photoheterotrophic growth. Growth rates and optimum growth concentrations increased when cells were previously adapted for growth on the halocarboxylic acid substrates. Collectively, the purple nonsulfur bacteria can grow at the expense of brominated, chlorinated, and fluorinated acetic and propionic acids. The mechanism of degradation was shown to be via reductive dehalogenation. The results suggest that the purple nonsulfur bacteria may play a significant role in the transformation of phenolic and halogenated compounds in anaerobic sediments, particularly in cases of heavy contamination where the ability of these bacteria to grow on high concentrations of these compounds could allow them to proliferate.

text: Anaerobic transformation of halocarboxylic acids and phenolic compounds by photosynthetic bacteria The ability of photosynthetic bacteria to transform phenolic compounds and halocarboxylic acids under photoheterotrophic growth conditions was assessed and studied. 
Attempts to isolate strains of phototrophic bacteria capable of degrading phenolic compounds yielded a strain of the purple nonsulfur bacteria species Rhodopseudomonas palustris. The isolated strain showed growth to a high cell density on phenol, although this may have been in conjunction with a sulfate reducing bacteria. Certain type strains of purple nonsulfur bacteria were able to grow on phenol and a small number of substituted phenols. Rhodospirillum rubrum DSM 467 showed growth to a high cell density on the pesticide 2,4- dinitrophenol at a concentration of 1.5 mM. The initial step in the degradation was shown to be a reduction of the ortho-nitro group to an amino group, transforming the compound to 2-amino-4-nitrophenol. 

A number of purple nonsulfur bacteria type strains were reported for the first time to utilise halocarboxylic acids for photoheterotrophic growth. Growth rates and optimum growth concentrations increased when cells were previously adapted for growth on the halocarboxylic acid substrates. Collectively, the purple nonsulfur bacteria can grow at the expense of brominated, chlorinated, and fluorinated acetic and propionic acids. The mechanism of degradation was shown to be via reductive dehalogenation. The results suggest that the purple nonsulfur bacteria may play a significant role in the transformation of phenolic and halogenated compounds in anaerobic sediments, particularly in cases of heavy contamination where the ability of these bacteria to grow on high concentrations of these compounds could allow them to proliferate.

year: 2000

title: The Marist missionaries' first encounters with inhabitants of the Pacific

authors: William, Jennings

subjects: missionaries

abstract: Missionaries of the French-based Society of Mary (Marists) arrived in the Pacific in the late 1830s. Reports by European travellers and missionaries had told the first Marists to expect Pacific peoples who were either cannibals or noble savages. Their encounter with recently-converted Mangarevans in the Gambier Islands led them to believe that idyllic Christian societies could be created in the South Pacific. This belief influenced the first Marists' descriptions of Pacific peoples, notably New Zealand Maori. The Marists consequently emphasised the noble savage trope and downplayed cannibalism. They also displayed a relatively tolerant attitude towards indigenous practices.

text: The Marist missionaries' first encounters with inhabitants of the Pacific Missionaries of the French-based Society of Mary (Marists) arrived in the Pacific in the late 1830s. Reports by European travellers and missionaries had told the first Marists to expect Pacific peoples who were either cannibals or noble savages. Their encounter with recently-converted Mangarevans in the Gambier Islands led them to believe that idyllic Christian societies could be created in the South Pacific. This belief influenced the first Marists' descriptions of Pacific peoples, notably New Zealand Maori. The Marists consequently emphasised the noble savage trope and downplayed cannibalism. They also displayed a relatively tolerant attitude towards indigenous practices.

year: 2013