Polariton effects in molecular crystals studied by classical and quantum-electrodynamic approaches

A quantum-electrodynamic approach is studied as an alternative to the classical description of polaritons in molecular crystals, with the focus on future interpretation of oligothiophene spectra. As expected, the results of the two approaches coincide, but the quantum description is better suited for future generalizations, notably for detailed studies of vibronic coupling. The quantum approach is used here to probe the importance of inherent polaritonic effects. They are found to be minor, being superseded by vibronic interactions; the latter are responsible for most peculiarities observed in oligothiophene spectra

Początki chemii teoretycznej w Polsce – rola Profesora Kazimierza Gumińskiego

This article discusses the advent of theoretical chemistry in Poland and the biography of its founding father, professor Kazimierz Gumiński. The presentation follows chronological order of the discoveries that gave rise to the onset of quantum chemistry, and the political history of that time, namely World War II and the Stalinist period. These general circumstances indirectly triggered the foundation of the Chair of Theoretical Chemistry at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków on September 1, 1952, which is viewed as the beginning of Polish theoretical chemistry.Most information herein is based on Gumiński’s report concerning the first ten years of the institution’s activity; the report is appended as an annex. The original and demanding training Gumiński imposed on his disciples is described from the author’s personal experience.Artykuł osadza początek chemii teoretycznej w Polsce i życiorys jej twórcy, profesora Kazimierza Gumińskiego, w chronologii odkryć, które doprowadziły do powstania chemii kwantowej oraz w politycznej historii tamtych czasów, mianowicie drugiej wojny światowej i okresu stalinizmu. Te właśnie okoliczności zewnętrzne pośrednio doprowadziły do utworzenia, z dniem 1 września 1952, Katedry Chemii Teoretycznej na Uniwersytecie Jagiellońskim w Krakowie. Większość informacji tutaj zawartych pochodzi ze złożonego przez Gumińskiego sprawozdania z pierwszych 10 lat funkcjonowania tej katedry. Jest ono załączone jako aneks. Oryginalne a wysokie wymagania stawiane przez Gumińskiego swoim uczniom autor relacjonuje z własnego doświadczenia

Infekcyjne zapalenie wsierdzia u chłopca z zespołem Downa po operacji kardiochirurgicznej w okresie niemowlęcym i usunięciu 13 zębów w piątym roku życia

A 14-year-old boy with Down’s syndrome and an atrioventricular septum defect underwent cardiosurgical treatment at 3 months of age. The postoperative course included pericardiocentesis due to fluid accumulation, anemia, lack of body weight increase, and kidney failure. In the years that followed, the boy’s condition was stable, although he often suffered from infections. The reconstructed mitral valve showed good function, the leaflets were not thickened. At 5 years of age, the patient underwent extraction of 13 teeth consecutively, due to extensive inflammatory changes, without antibiotic cover. The child’s health deteriorated after the procedure. Inflammation indicators were positive and symptoms of sepsis appeared. Physical examination revealed splenomegaly, and Streptococcus mitis and Staphylococcus hominis bacteria were cultured in the blood culture. Transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography showed a hyperechogenic structure of 10 × 4 mm on the mitral valve, causing a narrowing of the inflow to the left ventricle and an exacerbation of grade I to III valve regurgitation as well as features of pulmonary hypertension. Vegetation in the course of infectious endocarditis was suspected and intensive antibiotic therapy was initiated in accordance with the antibiogram. After obtaining sterile cultures, the boy underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization, which showed postcapillary type reversible pulmonary hypertension. The child was qualified for cardiac surgery during which the vegetation was removed and the Medtronic Hancock 23 mm biological valve was implanted in the mitral field. The boy’s condition has systematically improved and he is currently under outpatient control. After several years of follow-up, the mitral valve shows slight regurgitation. Also, a mild obstruction of the left ventricle outflow tract is observed, not requiring any intervention at the moment.A 14-year-old boy with Down’s syndrome and an atrioventricular septum defect underwent cardiosurgical treatment at 3 months of age. The postoperative course included pericardiocentesis due to fluid accumulation, anemia, lack of body weight increase, and kidney failure. In the years that followed, the boy's condition was stable, although he often suffered from infections. The reconstructed mitral valve showed good function, the leaflets were not thickened. At 5 years of age, the patient underwent extraction of 13 teeth consecutively, due to extensive inflammatory changes, without antibiotic cover. The child’s health deteriorated after the procedure. Inflammation indicators were positive and symptoms of sepsis appeared. Physical examination revealed splenomegaly, and Streptococcus mitis and Staphylococcus hominis bacteria were cultured in the blood culture. Transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography showed a hyperechogenic structure of 10 × 4 mm on the mitral valve, causing a narrowing of the inflow to the left ventricle and an exacerbation of grade I to III valve regurgitation as well as features of pulmonary hypertension. Vegetation in the course of infectious endocarditis was suspected and intensive antibiotic therapy was initiated in accordance with the antibiogram. After obtaining sterile cultures, the boy underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization, which showed postcapillary type reversible pulmonary hypertension. The child was qualified for cardiac surgery during which the vegetation was removed and the Medtronic Hancock 23 mm biological valve was implanted in the mitral field. The boy’s condition has systematically improved and he is currently under outpatient control. After several years of follow-up, the mitral valve shows slight regurgitation. Also, a mild obstruction of the left ventricle outflow tract is observed, not requiring any intervention at the moment

How to harden a doctoral candidate : research school of professor Kazimierz Gumiński

Professor Kazimierz Gumiński (1908-83) [1-3] was the founder (at Jagiellonian University in Cracow) of a research school in theoretical chemistry, the first one in Poland and among the first ones in the world. He served as supervisor to about 20 doctoral students, most of whom later attained professorial titles. He also authored several monographs and textbooks [4-8]. Gumiński completed his doctorate in experimental physics. As his masters in science he viewed S. Pieńkowski and W. Natanson. His research interests were focused on irreversible thermodynamics (where his role was mostly systematizing [5]), and on electrical properties of organic solids (in which he was one of the pioneers [8]). His main efforts, though, were committed to scientific tutoring and supervising. He had strong views concerning the way doctorates should be guided, which he often formulated in jocular way. According to his main principle, the guidance should be specifically targeted at each individual doctoral student, with a set of exams depending on the student’s background and interests. Physics graduates were requested to pass examinations in chemistry (inorganic, organic and physical, all at chemistry graduate level), whereas the compulsory load for chemistry graduates comprised mathematics (higher algebra, multidimensional calculus and theory of analytical functions, at mathematics graduate level) and theoretical physics (especially classical mechanics, statistical physics and quantum mechanics, at physics graduate level). The cycle was completed by comprehensive examination covering a broadly viewed domain of the candidate’s focal interest (such as, e.g., statistical physics or quantum chemistry), which was to be passed with leading experts in the subject (at national level), and to encompass all that had been published on the subject, at the level of monographs and current papers. It was expected that some of these papers would arouse the student’s interest, inspiring him to solve some new problems and to publish the emergent results, of which a part would constitute his doctorate. This was another Gumiński’s principle: doctorate was to express its author’s creative temperament, so it had to result from autonomous and unhindered individual inspiration. Gumiński vehemently spurned the idea of doctoral subject imposed by an advisor. Besides, in his opinion doctorate was not to be the lifetime achievement, merely a minor stop on the way, and was expected to be soon followed by other publications. The doctoral curriculum in Gumiński’s school was also supplemented by training in teaching, including coached lecturing practice

How to harden a doctoral candidate : research school of professor Kazimierz Gumiński

Professor Kazimierz Gumiński (1908-83) [1-3] was the founder (at Jagiellonian University in Cracow) of a research school in theoretical chemistry, the first one in Poland and among the first ones in the world. He served as supervisor to about 20 doctoral students, most of whom later attained professorial titles. He also authored several monographs and textbooks [4-8]. Gumiński completed his doctorate in experimental physics. As his masters in science he viewed S. Pieńkowski and W. Natanson. His research interests were focused on irreversible thermodynamics (where his role was mostly systematizing [5]), and on electrical properties of organic solids (in which he was one of the pioneers [8]). His main efforts, though, were committed to scientific tutoring and supervising. He had strong views concerning the way doctorates should be guided, which he often formulated in jocular way. According to his main principle, the guidance should be specifically targeted at each individual doctoral student, with a set of exams depending on the student’s background and interests. Physics graduates were requested to pass examinations in chemistry (inorganic, organic and physical, all at chemistry graduate level), whereas the compulsory load for chemistry graduates comprised mathematics (higher algebra, multidimensional calculus and theory of analytical functions, at mathematics graduate level) and theoretical physics (especially classical mechanics, statistical physics and quantum mechanics, at physics graduate level). The cycle was completed by comprehensive examination covering a broadly viewed domain of the candidate’s focal interest (such as, e.g., statistical physics or quantum chemistry), which was to be passed with leading experts in the subject (at national level), and to encompass all that had been published on the subject, at the level of monographs and current papers. It was expected that some of these papers would arouse the student’s interest, inspiring him to solve some new problems and to publish the emergent results, of which a part would constitute his doctorate. This was another Gumiński’s principle: doctorate was to express its author’s creative temperament, so it had to result from autonomous and unhindered individual inspiration. Gumiński vehemently spurned the idea of doctoral subject imposed by an advisor. Besides, in his opinion doctorate was not to be the lifetime achievement, merely a minor stop on the way, and was expected to be soon followed by other publications. The doctoral curriculum in Gumiński’s school was also supplemented by training in teaching, including coached lecturing practice