Radiocommunication Monitor for ISM Band at 868 MHz

Diplomová práce se zabývá návrhem a realizací radiokomunikačního monitoru pro ISM pásmo 868 MHz. V práci je uveden popis bezlicenčních rádiových pásem dle doporučení ITU a norem ETSI. Zvláštní pozornost je věnována pásmu 863 MHz až 870 MHz. Podrobně je popsán transceiver CC1020, který tvoří základ monitoru. Postupně je představen obvodový návrh, sestavení monitoru a vytvoření firmwaru. Radiokomunikační monitor je přenosný, napájený primárně z baterií. Monitor umožňuje zobrazit spektrum signálů v pásmu 868 MHz, indikuje kmitočtovou odchylku vysílače a přijímá vysokofrekvenční signál s modulací FSK. Demodulovaná data je možné přenést do osobního počítače přes rozhraní USB.This thesis deals with the design and the realization of the radiocommunication monitor for the 868 MHz band. In the thesis, a description of licence-free radio bands complying ITU recommendations and ETSI standards is given. A special attention is paid to the 863 MHz - 870 MHz band. The transceiver CC1020 that forms the base for the monitor is described in detail. The circuit design, the monitor assembly and the firmware creation are presented step by step. The radiocommunication monitor is portable and battery powered. The monitor is able to display RF signals in the 868 MHz band, to indicate the frequency error of the transmitter and to receive FSK modulated signal. Demodulated data can be transferred to the personal computer via the USB.

Optical monitoring of gamma-ray source fields

The three gamma-ray burst source fields GBS1028+46, GBS1205+24, and GBS2252-03 have been monitored for transient optical emission for a combined total of 52 hours. No optical events were seen. The limiting magnitude for the search was M sub V = 15.8 longer and M sub V = 17.0 for 6.0 s or longer

Automatic Antenna Tuner with Intelli-fit Algorithm

Bakalářská práce se zabývá problematikou impedančního přizpůsobení antén, návrhem a realizací automatického anténního tuneru. Práce uvádí základní fyzikální vztahy pro popis odrazů na elektrickém vedení a impedančního přizpůsobení. Dále jsou zvažována různá obvodová řešení LC článků jako transformátorů impedance. Je vybráno řešení vyhovující zadaným požadavkům. Konstruované zařízení je navrženo s ohledem na plně automatickou činnost. Všechny činnosti jsou řízeny pokyny mikrokontroléru. Rychlé přizpůsobení impedance zabezpečuje inteligentní algoritmus. Jako nezbytný zdroj vstupních dat slouží PSV-metr. Mikrokontrolér je dále doplněn o periferie rozšiřující funkčnost zařízení (frekvenční čítač, externí paměť). Ovládání tuneru je realizováno dálkově pomocí programu v osobním počítači komunikujícím přes sběrnici USB nebo RS-232.The bachelor’s thesis deals with an antenna impedance matching, a design and a construction of an automatic antenna tuner. Basic physical equations are mentioned describing reflections on a feed line and the impedance matching. Various LC networks are discussed for their impedance-transforming possibility. One of the designs is chosen according to given requirements. A system is designed as fully-automated. All activities are managed by a microcontroller. Fast impedance matching is provided by an intelligent algorithm. A SWR-meter serves as a vital data source. The system is equipped with additional circuits that improve functionality (a frequency counter, an external memory). The system can be controlled remotely by a personal computer programme communicating via USB or RS-232.

The effects of combinatorial chemistry and technologies on drug discovery and biotechnology : A mini review

The review will focus on the aspects of combinatorial chemistry and technologies that are more relevant in the modern pharmaceutical process. An historical, critical introduction is followed by three chapters, dealing with the use of combinatorial chemistry/high throughput synthesis in medicinal chemistry; the rational design of combinatorial libraries using computer-assisted combinatorial drug design; and the use of combinatorial technologies in biotechnology. The impact of "combinatorial thinking" in drug discovery in general, and in the examples reported in details, is critically discussed. Finally, an expert opinion on current and future trends in combinatorial chemistry and combinatorial technologies is provided

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new simple indolic non peptidic HIV Protease inhibitors: The effect of different substitution patterns

New structurally simple indolic non peptidic HIV Protease inhibitors were synthesized from (S)- glycidol by regioselective methods. Following the concept of targeting the protein backbone, different substitution patterns were introduced onto the common stereodefined isopropanolamine core modifying the type of functional group on the indole, the position of the functional group on the indole and the type of the nitrogen containing group (sulfonamides or perhydroisoquinoline), alternatively. The systematic study on in vitro inhibition activity of such compounds confirmed the general beneficial effect of the 5-indolyl substituents in presence of arylsulfonamide moieties, which furnished activities in the micromolar range. Preliminary docking analysis allowed to identify several key features of the binding mode of such compounds to the protease

Experimental validation of specificity of the squamous cell carcinoma antigen-immunoglobulin M (SCCA-IgM) assay in patients with cirrhosis

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma antigen-immunoglobulin M (SCCA-IgM) is a useful biomarker for the risk of development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis due to its progressive increase associated to HCC evolution. In patients with cirrhosis, other assays have been affected by interfering reactivities of IgM. In this study, the analytical specificity of the SCCA-IgM assay was assessed by evaluating SCCA-IgM measurement dependence on different capture phases, and by measuring the recovery of SCCA-IgM reactivity following serum fractionation. Methods: Serum samples from 82 patients with cirrhosis were analyzed. SCCA-IgM was measured using the reference test (Hepa-IC, Xeptagen, Italy) that is based on rabbit oligoclonal anti-squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) and a dedicated ELISA with a mouse monoclonal anti-SCCA as the capture antibody. Results: SCCA-IgM concentrations measured with the reference assay (median value=87 AU/mL) were higher than those measured with the mouse monoclonal test (median value=78 AU/mL). However, the differences in the SCCA-IgM distribution were not statistically significant (p>0.05). When SCCA-IgM concentrations measured with both tests were compared, a linear correlation was found (r=0.77, p<0.05). Fractionation of the most reactive sera by gel-filtration chromatography showed that total recovery of SCCA-IgM reactivity was seen only in the fractions corresponding to components with a molecular weight higher than IgM and SCCA (>2000 kDa) with both tests. Conclusions: The equivalence of both SCCA-IgM assays and the absence of reactivity not related to immune complexes support the analytical specificity of SCCA-IgM measurements. The results validate the assessment of SCCA-IgM for prognostic purposes in patients with cirrhosis. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:217–23.Peer Reviewe

Connecting Peptide Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties by a Rational Prediction Model

The increasing rate in antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains has become an imperative health issue. Thus, pharmaceutical industries have focussed their efforts to find new potent, non-toxic compounds to treat bacterial infections. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising candidates in the fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens due to their low toxicity, broad range of activity and unspecific mechanism of action. In this context, bioinformatics' strategies can inspire the design of new peptide leads with enhanced activity. Here, we describe an artificial neural network approach, based on the AMP's physicochemical characteristics, that is able not only to identify active peptides but also to assess its antimicrobial potency. The physicochemical properties considered are directly derived from the peptide sequence and comprise a complete set of parameters that accurately describe AMPs. Most interesting, the results obtained dovetail with a model for the AMP's mechanism of action that takes into account new concepts such as peptide aggregation. Moreover, this classification system displays high accuracy and is well correlated with the experimentally reported data. All together, these results suggest that the physicochemical properties of AMPs determine its action. In addition, we conclude that sequence derived parameters are enough to characterize antimicrobial peptides

Gerulata: The Lamps. Roman Lamps in a Provincial Context

What should a catalogue of archaeological material contain? This book is a comprehensive index of 210 lamps from the Roman fort at Gerulata and its adjoining civilian settlement. The lighting devices were excavated during the last 50 years from the houses, cemeteries, barracks and fortifications of this Roman outpost on the Danube Limes and span almost three centuries from AD 80 to AD 350. For the first time, they are published in full and in color with detailed analysis of lamp types, workshop marks and discus scenes. The first chapter describes the history of Roman Pannonia and the archaeological record of Gerulata. Three successive catalogues - of the lamps, of the stamps, and of the iconography - illustrate the material thoroughly. An inquiry into the lamps' function as grave goods is presented, followed by four studies focused on the statistical analysis of types, the organization of the lamp industry, signs of personal ownership, and the cultural significance of lamplight in a provincial milieu, respectively. Together, they paint a picture of a community on the edge of the Empire and its use of artificial light in both life and death. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org