Spectroscopic observations of comet Kohoutek (1973f)

Coude spectrograms of comet Kohoutek obtained with the ESO 152-cm telescope in La Silla, Chile are discussed. Emission features of the C3, CH, and CO(+) molecules found in the blue region of the spectrum are considered along with measured emissions in the visual region of the spectrum. The observational and cometary data are given in tabular form

Photoelectric photometry of comet Kohoutek (1973f)

Comet Kohoutek was observed with the 50 cm (f/15) reflecting telescope of the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile, on fourteen nights between January 16 and 30, when the heliocentric and geocentric distances of the comet were r=0.66 - 1.00 A.U. and delta=0.81 - 0.96 A.U., respectively. The 40 inch and 80 inch diaphragms were used for the photometry of the cometary head in the UBV system and with six interference filters. The atmospheric conditions were good but the accuracy of observations was low due to large extinction and twilight. The mean error of one measurement of log F in all but Na 5893 A filters can be estimated at plus or minus 0.02, whereas the accuracy through the Na filter was substantially lower

Image Transition Edge Physical Modeling Method for Exact Object Shape Position Determination

Disertační práce se zabývá návrhem nové originální metody fyzikálního modelování přechodových hran v obraze pro určení skutečné subpixelové pozice obrysu předmětu. Aplikační oblastí vyvinuté metody je oblast vysoce přesných měření geometrických rozměrů předmětů v průmyslových inspekčních systémech. Návrh metody vychází z detailní fyzikální analýzy definovaného zobrazovacího systému, jehož stěžejními částmi jsou telecentrická optická soustava, zdroj vysoce telecentrického osvětlení a CCD kamera. Výsledkem provedené fyzikální analýzy z pohledu geometrické a Fourierovské optiky je komplexní fyzikální model zobrazení hrany předmětu zájmu, spolu s definicí způsobu určení skutečné pozice obrysu předmětu v rámci modelu. Model je podrobně prozkoumán a diskutován z hlediska vlivu jednotlivých parametrů na přesnost určení pozice obrysu předmětu. Následně je z něj odvozena modelující funkce přechodové hrany v podobě vhodné pro definici metody optimalizované aproximace reálných přechodových hran. Navržená metoda fyzikálního modelování přechodové hrany a určení subpixelové pozice obrysu předmětu je nejprve ověřena se syntetickými daty a implementována do měřicího systému Tester2D. Metodou dosahovaná přesnost měření geometrických rozměrů z reálně snímaných obrazů je ověřena formou měření etalonů délky. Měřicí systém Tester2D byl úspěšně akreditován pro měření rozměrů v rozsahu s přesností až , což je doloženo protokolem o akreditaci v příloze disertační práce, spolu s dokladem o dosažených výsledcích měřicího systému v rámci uskutečněného mezilaboratorního srovnávání.Doctoral thesis is focused on a design of a new original image transition edge physical modeling method for exact object shape position determination. Automatic Optical Inspection systems for the high accuracy optical measurements is main application area for designed method. The new method design is based on precise physical analysis of a defined imaging system. Object side telecentric lens, telecentric backlight source and CCD video camera are main parts of the analyzed imaging system. New image transition edge physical model and method for accurate shape position detection within the model are derived by geometrical and Fourier optics imaging system analysis. Possible influences of the model parameters changes to the accuracy of shape position detection are studied precisely. A new modeling function suitable for implementation in a new optimal approximation method is derived from the physical transition edge model. The modeling function optimal approximation method is implemented in to a Tester2D measuring system and verified by length etalon measurements. The Tester2D measuring system was successfully accredited for dimensions measurement in range with accuracy up to . Documentation of results of the accreditation process with the record of obtained results from measurement system in scope of preformed interlaboratory comparison tests are appended to the doctoral thesis.

Observing facilities at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile for cometary observations

The (ESO) is located on the mountain La Silla (geographical coordinates: 4h42m55s10 west, -29 deg 15' 25".8 south, 2400 m elevation. The size of the telescopes ranges from a 40 cm Astrograph to the 3.6 m Richey-Chretien telescope. Future telescopes are discussed: a 2.2 m RC-Telescope which will be identical with the German 2.2 m telescope on Calor Alto in SE-Spain, and a 3.5 m telescope, the New Technology Telescope. In addition to these telescopes, a great number of auxiliary instrumentation are operational. Because ESO has to serve all requests of the visiting astronomers these instruments are designed for very different applications. The telescopes and auxiliary instruments that are especially suited for cometary observations are discussed. The dicussion is divided into three parts: photography, photometry-polarimetry and spectroscopy

Expression of MHC II genes

Innate and adaptive immunity are connected via antigen processing and presentation (APP), which results in the presentation of antigenic peptides to T cells in the complex with the major histocompatibility (MHC) determinants. MHC class II (MHC II) determinants present antigens to CD4+ T cells, which are the main regulators of the immune response. Their genes are transcribed from compact promoters that form first the MHC II enhanceosome, which contains DNA-bound activators and then the MHC II transcriptosome with the addition of the class II transactivator (CIITA). CIITA is the master regulator of MHC II transcription. It is expressed constitutively in dendritic cells (DC) and mature B cells and is inducible in most other cell types. Three isoforms of CIITA exist, depending on cell type and inducing signals. CIITA is regulated at the levels of transcription and post-translational modifications, which are still not very clear. Inappropriate immune responses are found in several diseases, including cancer and autoimmunity. Since CIITA regulates the expression of MHC II genes, it is involved directly in the regulation of the immune response. The knowledge of CIITA will facilitate the manipulation of the immune response and might contribute to the treatment of these diseases

The Discovery of Infrared Rings in the Planetary Nebula NGC 1514 During the WISE All-Sky Survey

We report the discovery of a pair of infrared, axisymmetric rings in the planetary nebula NGC 1514 during the course of the WISE all-sky mid-infrared survey. Similar structures are seen at visible wavelengths in objects such as the "Engraved Hourglass Nebula" (MyCn 18) and the "Southern Crab Nebula" (Hen 2-104). However, in NGC 1514 we see only a single pair of rings and they are easily observed only in the mid-infrared. These rings are roughly 0.2 pc in diameter, are separated by 0.05 pc, and are dominated by dust emission with a characteristic temperature of 160 K. We compare the morphology and color of the rings to the other nebular structures seen at visible, far-infrared, and radio wavelengths, and close with a discussion of a physical model and formation scenario for NGC 1514.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, final version published in 2010 December Astronomical Journa

GPS Data Processing Software

Práce se zabývá návrhem a implementací aplikace pro zpracování údajů o prošlých trasách ve formátu GPX. Aplikace zobrazuje trasu na mapových podkladech, umožňuje její editaci, pojmenování trasových bodů a přiřazení fotografií. O trase poskytuje řadu statistických údajů včetně grafů výškového a rychlostního profilu. Aplikace také nabízí možnost sestavit a vygenerovat prezentaci obsahující fotografie a snímky mapy. Teoretická část práce pojednává o systému GPS, způsobu záznamu trasy, o mapových podkladech a o návrhu aplikace. Cílem praktické části je pak navržené řešení implementovat a otestovat.The aim of the thesis is to suggest and implement an application for processing data about absolved tracks in GPX format. The application displays tracks on map layers, offering the possibility of editing the tracks, naming points on the tracks and adding photographs. A whole scale of statistic data is available for each track, including elevation and speed profile graph. Moreover, the application enables users to prepare and generate a presentation including photographs and map screenshots. The theoretical part of the thesis deals with GPS navigation system, ways of recording routes (tracks), map data and application suggestion. The aim of the practical part is to implement the suggested solution and test it.

PANASONIC LZ7 Digital Cameras Simulator and Trainer

Simulátor a trenažer digitálního fotoaparátuDigital Cameras Simulator and Trainer

Newly discovered halos and outer features around southern planetary nebulae

We have used the SuperCOSMOS H-alpha Survey to look for faint outer structures such as halos, ansae and jets around known planetary nebulae across 4000 square degrees of the southern Milky Way. Our search will contribute to a more accurate census of these features in the Galactic PN population. Candidate common-envelope PNe have also been identified on the basis of their microstructures. We also intend to determine more reliable distances for these PNe, which should allow a much better statistical basis for the post-AGB total mass budget. Our survey offers fresh scope to address this important issue.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure. To be published in Planetary Nebulae: an Eye to the Future, Proceedings of IAU Symposium 283, held in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain, July 25-29 201