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Careful network planning has become increasingly critical with the rising deployment, coverage, and congestion of wireless local area networks (WLANs). This thesis outlines the achieved prediction accuracy of a direct-ray, single path loss exponent, adapted Seidel-Rappaport propagation model as determined through measurements and analysis of the established 2.4 GHz, 802.11g outdoor WiFi network deployed on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Additionally, the viability of using the obtained model parameters as a means for planning future network deployment is discussed. Analysis of measured data shows that accurate predictive planning for network coverage is possible without the need for overly complicated modeling techniques such as ray tracing. The proposed model performs with accuracy comparable to other commonly accepted, more complicated models and is offered as a simple, yet strong predictive model for network planning having both speed and accuracy. Results show, that for the area under study, the standard deviation of the prediction error for the proposed model is below 6.8dB in all analyzed environments, and is approximately 5.5dB on average. Further, the accuracy of model predictions in new environments is shown to be satisfactory for network planning.

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of adult solid tumour. The incidence is increasing rapidly making skin cancer a major health problem in several countries. Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma (CMM) is the least common but the most life threatening type of skin cancers and is responsible for 90% of all skin malignancy associated deaths. The precise cellular and molecular etiology of malignant melanoma is quite complex and the molecular events directly related to melanoma progression are yet to be elucidated. However, recent advances in molecular biology have resulted in a clearer understanding of the cellular and molecular events of skin cancer development. The best-characterized locus associated with CMM development is the CDKN2A that maps to chromosome 9p21 and encodes for the cell cycle regulator p16 tumour suppressor gene (TSG), and is frequently inactivated in melanoma tumours. In addition to p16, other loci located in 9p21 appear to be important in CMM development and functional evidence for the presence of TSG(s) has been provided (Parris et al., 1999). The aim of our study is to contribute to the understanding of CMM development by isolating and characterising novel TSG(s) at this location. In order to pursue identifying potential TSG(s), we have developed several monochromosome hybrids using microcell mediated chromosome transfer, and evaluated the tumourigenicity of the constructed hybrids by anchorage independent growth in soft agar. For the molecular biology aspects, expression analysis of the genes in the 9p21 region was carried out by reverse transcription PCR. Potential candidate tumour suppressor genes were then carefully evaluated by generating expression profiles via conducting real time PCR. Experimental evidence is provided which supports the candidacy of interferon alpha 1 (IFNA1) as a tumour suppressor gene for melanoma development.

Telomerase is present in over 90% of tumour tissues and immortalized cells and is tightly regulated in most normal somatic cells. This suggests the existence of regulatory mechanisms repressing telomerase in normal cells that somehow have become inactive during cancer development. In this project, I used genetic complementation in the form of microcell-mediated monochromosome transfer (MMCT) to search for chromosomes that repress telomerase activity in a prostate cancer cell line, PC-3. Microcell hybrids generated by introducing normal human chromosome 11 strongly inhibited telomerase. Telomerase is regulated primarily at the level of hTERT transcription, its catalytic subunit. Consequently, endogenous hTERT mRNA levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR in microcell hybrids generated by transferring normal human chromosomes into a PC-3 sub-clone (PC- 3/hTERT) ectopically expressing hTERT cDNA to prevent senescence. Only hybrids constructed with transferred chromosome 11 showed strong transcriptional repression of hTERT. Next, hybrids were constructed by the MMCT transfer of chromosome 11 fragments (X-ray-induced). FISH analysis of clones with completely silenced endogenous hTERT transcription revealed in all cases a discrete chromosome 11 fragment with both the p-arm and q-arm material. A randomly selected hTERT-repressed clone was treated with ganciclovir to select against the HyTK marker and reverse the phenotype. hTERT expression in majority of GCV-resistant clones returned to levels comparable to the parent PC-3/hTERT cells. Collectively, these results provide strong functional evidence for the presence of a powerful telomerase repressor sequence on the fragment. Transfer of one repressive fragment back into mouse A9 cells was then carried out to facilitate fine-structure mapping of its sequence content. High density STS mapping of the fragment in each of the clones revealed a considerable DNA content heterogeneity across the panel. These content maps, together with a further round of MMCT to confirm hTERTrepressive activity, enabled me to identify three candidate regions on the q-arm of chromosome 11 where the repressor sequence may be located: the first region lies between map positions 64.70Mb to 65.42Mb and the other two regions each flank a single positive STS marker at 69.71Mb and 127.32Mb. KAT5, a histone modifying gene has been identified as a potential candidate for repressing hTERT.

The United States is the second largest producer of oranges and grapefruit. However, the US citrus industry experiences constraints in production due to pests, diseases and environmental concerns. Furthermore, due to the low diversity in current commercial scion cultivars any exotic diseases, if introduced into any of the producing states could be devastating. To maintain the US industry competitiveness it is necessary to improve cold, pest and disease resistance to allow expansion of citrus production areas in the US, and to improve fruit quality characteristics such as sweetness, vitamins and phytochemical contents and seedlessness. Sexual hybridization in most Citrus species is complicated because they are highly apomictic. Polyembryony makes it difficult to create large segregating populations for selection. Somatic hybridization by protoplast fusion circumvents sexual incompatibilities and is a powerful tool in genetic improvement. Symmetric and asymmetric hybdridization (gamma irradiation plus iodoacetamide) via protoplast fusion were performed with the objective of producing somatic hybrids of Citrus paradisi with C. sinensis and C. reticulata with C. sinensis. These hybrids could be used for grapefruit improvement and to create genetic diversity. Furthermore, irradiated Swinglea glutinosa microprotoplasts were fused with ‘Ruby Red’ grapefruit and ‘Mucott’ tangor to assess the possibility of introgression of pieces of S. glutinosa chromosomes into the recipient protoplasts, a possible first step for radiation hybrid mapping. Double-inactivated fusions (irradiation + iodoacetamide) produced tetraploid and aneuploid plants, and hybridity was confirmed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. This is the first report of obtaining rooted Citrus asymmetric hybrid plants, produced by irradiation plus iodoacetamide. AFLP confirmed presence of S. glutinosa into the receptor genomes, showing a possible donor introgression.

The United States is the second largest producer of oranges and grapefruit. However, the US citrus industry experiences constraints in production due to pests, diseases and environmental concerns. Furthermore, due to the low diversity in current commercial scion cultivars any exotic diseases, if introduced into any of the producing states could be devastating. To maintain the US industry competitiveness it is necessary to improve cold, pest and disease resistance to allow expansion of citrus production areas in the US, and to improve fruit quality characteristics such as sweetness, vitamins and phytochemical contents and seedlessness. Sexual hybridization in most Citrus species is complicated because they are highly apomictic. Polyembryony makes it difficult to create large segregating populations for selection. Somatic hybridization by protoplast fusion circumvents sexual incompatibilities and is a powerful tool in genetic improvement. Symmetric and asymmetric hybdridization (gamma irradiation plus iodoacetamide) via protoplast fusion were performed with the objective of producing somatic hybrids of Citrus paradisi with C. sinensis and C. reticulata with C. sinensis. These hybrids could be used for grapefruit improvement and to create genetic diversity. Furthermore, irradiated Swinglea glutinosa microprotoplasts were fused with ‘Ruby Red’ grapefruit and ‘Mucott’ tangor to assess the possibility of introgression of pieces of S. glutinosa chromosomes into the recipient protoplasts, a possible first step for radiation hybrid mapping. Double-inactivated fusions (irradiation + iodoacetamide) produced tetraploid and aneuploid plants, and hybridity was confirmed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. This is the first report of obtaining rooted Citrus asymmetric hybrid plants, produced by irradiation plus iodoacetamide. AFLP confirmed presence of S. glutinosa into the receptor genomes, showing a possible donor introgression.

O zinco vem sendo utilizado, já há bastante tempo, como revestimento protetor e decorativo para peças metálicas [1]. No entanto, cada vez mais a indústria busca revestimentos protetores que sejam mais resistentes à corrosão, que tenham boas características de soldabilidade, pintabilidade e, principalmente baixo custo. Os métodos mais comuns pelos quais os revestimentos de zinco são aplicados são imersão a quente, eletrodeposição e aspersão térmica. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo caracterizar a morfologia dos revestimentos Galvanized (GI), Galvannealed (GA) e Zn-55Al de zinco obtidos pelo processo de imersão a quente, verificar o comportamento eletroquímico e analisar o comportamento corrosivo dos revestimentos pelas técnicas de Potenciometria e Eletrodo Vibratório (SVET). Os resultados demonstraram que é possível a análise das fases por voltametria em microcélula no revestimento em que as fases foram crescidas, porém, não é possível aplicar a técnica nas diferentes fases formadas nos revestimentos industriais devido à espessura dos revestimentos. Não foi observado influência da luz Ultravioleta-visível na taxa de corrosão dos revestimentos estudados por SVET e esta técnica mostrou-se satisfatória para grandes aumentos e pequenas áreas. As análises por SVET demonstraram a possibilidade de analisar a corrosão localizada em diferentes fases intermetálicas nos revestimentos. / Zinc has been used for quite some time, as decorative and protective coating for metal parts. However, the industry increasingly seeks protective coatings that are more resistant to corrosion, have good weldability characteristics, and especially low cost. The most common methods by which zinc coatings are applied are hot dipping, electroplating and thermal spraying. The present work aims to characterize the morphology of the coatings Galvanized (GI), galvannealed (GA) and Zn-55Al of zinc obtained by hot dip process, check the electrochemical behavior and analyze the behavior of coatings for corrosion techniques of pots and Vibrating electrode (SVET). The results showed that it is possible to analyze the phases by microcell voltammetry in the coating in which the phases were grown, however, is not possible to apply the technique in the different phases formed in industrial coatings due to the thickness of coatings. There was no influence of UV-VIS in the corrosion rate of the coatings studied by SVET and this technique was satisfactory for large and small areas increases. The analysis by SVET demonstrated the possibility of analyzing the localized corrosion in different intermetalic phases in coatings.

O zinco vem sendo utilizado, já há bastante tempo, como revestimento protetor e decorativo para peças metálicas [1]. No entanto, cada vez mais a indústria busca revestimentos protetores que sejam mais resistentes à corrosão, que tenham boas características de soldabilidade, pintabilidade e, principalmente baixo custo. Os métodos mais comuns pelos quais os revestimentos de zinco são aplicados são imersão a quente, eletrodeposição e aspersão térmica. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo caracterizar a morfologia dos revestimentos Galvanized (GI), Galvannealed (GA) e Zn-55Al de zinco obtidos pelo processo de imersão a quente, verificar o comportamento eletroquímico e analisar o comportamento corrosivo dos revestimentos pelas técnicas de Potenciometria e Eletrodo Vibratório (SVET). Os resultados demonstraram que é possível a análise das fases por voltametria em microcélula no revestimento em que as fases foram crescidas, porém, não é possível aplicar a técnica nas diferentes fases formadas nos revestimentos industriais devido à espessura dos revestimentos. Não foi observado influência da luz Ultravioleta-visível na taxa de corrosão dos revestimentos estudados por SVET e esta técnica mostrou-se satisfatória para grandes aumentos e pequenas áreas. As análises por SVET demonstraram a possibilidade de analisar a corrosão localizada em diferentes fases intermetálicas nos revestimentos. / Zinc has been used for quite some time, as decorative and protective coating for metal parts. However, the industry increasingly seeks protective coatings that are more resistant to corrosion, have good weldability characteristics, and especially low cost. The most common methods by which zinc coatings are applied are hot dipping, electroplating and thermal spraying. The present work aims to characterize the morphology of the coatings Galvanized (GI), galvannealed (GA) and Zn-55Al of zinc obtained by hot dip process, check the electrochemical behavior and analyze the behavior of coatings for corrosion techniques of pots and Vibrating electrode (SVET). The results showed that it is possible to analyze the phases by microcell voltammetry in the coating in which the phases were grown, however, is not possible to apply the technique in the different phases formed in industrial coatings due to the thickness of coatings. There was no influence of UV-VIS in the corrosion rate of the coatings studied by SVET and this technique was satisfactory for large and small areas increases. The analysis by SVET demonstrated the possibility of analyzing the localized corrosion in different intermetalic phases in coatings.

O zinco vem sendo utilizado, já há bastante tempo, como revestimento protetor e decorativo para peças metálicas [1]. No entanto, cada vez mais a indústria busca revestimentos protetores que sejam mais resistentes à corrosão, que tenham boas características de soldabilidade, pintabilidade e, principalmente baixo custo. Os métodos mais comuns pelos quais os revestimentos de zinco são aplicados são imersão a quente, eletrodeposição e aspersão térmica. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo caracterizar a morfologia dos revestimentos Galvanized (GI), Galvannealed (GA) e Zn-55Al de zinco obtidos pelo processo de imersão a quente, verificar o comportamento eletroquímico e analisar o comportamento corrosivo dos revestimentos pelas técnicas de Potenciometria e Eletrodo Vibratório (SVET). Os resultados demonstraram que é possível a análise das fases por voltametria em microcélula no revestimento em que as fases foram crescidas, porém, não é possível aplicar a técnica nas diferentes fases formadas nos revestimentos industriais devido à espessura dos revestimentos. Não foi observado influência da luz Ultravioleta-visível na taxa de corrosão dos revestimentos estudados por SVET e esta técnica mostrou-se satisfatória para grandes aumentos e pequenas áreas. As análises por SVET demonstraram a possibilidade de analisar a corrosão localizada em diferentes fases intermetálicas nos revestimentos. / Zinc has been used for quite some time, as decorative and protective coating for metal parts. However, the industry increasingly seeks protective coatings that are more resistant to corrosion, have good weldability characteristics, and especially low cost. The most common methods by which zinc coatings are applied are hot dipping, electroplating and thermal spraying. The present work aims to characterize the morphology of the coatings Galvanized (GI), galvannealed (GA) and Zn-55Al of zinc obtained by hot dip process, check the electrochemical behavior and analyze the behavior of coatings for corrosion techniques of pots and Vibrating electrode (SVET). The results showed that it is possible to analyze the phases by microcell voltammetry in the coating in which the phases were grown, however, is not possible to apply the technique in the different phases formed in industrial coatings due to the thickness of coatings. There was no influence of UV-VIS in the corrosion rate of the coatings studied by SVET and this technique was satisfactory for large and small areas increases. The analysis by SVET demonstrated the possibility of analyzing the localized corrosion in different intermetalic phases in coatings.

La combinaison du phénomène physique de piégeage cohérent de population (CPT), les techniques de micro-fabrication et les diodes laser à semi-conducteur permet le développement de micro-horloges atomiques présentant une stabilité relative de fréquence journalière 2 ordres de grandeur meilleure que celle des oscillateurs à quartz massivement utilisés pour un volume et une puissance de consommation similaires. Ces micro-horloges atomiques reposent sur l’interaction entre un module physique et une carte électronique pilotant l’horloge.Ce travail de thèse, co-encadré par le laboratoire FEMTO-ST et l’industriel Tronics Microsystems, soutenue activement par la DGA dans le cadre des projets DGA HABAC puis DGA EDAM, a eu pour but la conception, simulation thermique et magnétique, réalisation et caractérisation métrologique en horloge de modules physiques hautement miniaturisés, répondant aux contraintes et spécifications d’une micro-horloge industrielle pour applications stratégiques. Deux concepts de modules physiques ont été proposés, la différence essentielle étant le chemin lumineux.Le module physique intègre une diode laser VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface emitting laser), des éléments optiques pour le routage et la polarisation du faisceau lumineux, une microcellule à vapeur de césium diluée par une pression de gaz tampon (développée à FEMTO-ST et transférée industriellement à Tronics Microsystems), un photodétecteur et divers capteurs/actuateurs pour stabiliser la température d’éléments-clés. L’ensemble est inséré dans un cube de dimensions extérieures 15*15*13 cm3, lui-même entouré d’un solénoide pour appliquer un champ magnétique directeur et un blindage magnétique mu-métal. La consommation de ces modules physiques en régime permanent est de l’ordre de 250 mW à température ambiante.Ces modules physiques ont été testés à l’aide d’une électronique de laboratoire non intégrée. Des performances de stabilité relative de fréquence proches de l’état de l’art mondial, de l’ordre de 2,5.10-11 à 1 s et meilleures que 2 10-11 à 105 s, ont été démontrées en environnement calme. Pour l’aboutissement des performances ultimes sur la stabilité de fréquence d’horloge moyen et long terme (temps d’intégration supérieurs à 100-1000s) ont été mises en œuvre des techniques avancées, par le biais de deux boucles d’asservissement supplémentaires, visant à réduire drastiquement les effets de déplacement lumineux, eux-mêmes largement dépendants de la température extérieure et du bloc optique. Ces études ont aussi été associées à l’étude de la stabilité de l’atmosphère interne de microcellules, potentiellement limitée par des phénomènes de perméation de gaz tampon à travers le verre de la cellule. En ce sens, des tests de « vieillissement » préliminaires, menées sur 15-21 jours, ont été menés sur plusieurs microcellules, adoptant soit des verres de type borofloat, soit des verres de type alumino-sicilicaté (ASG). Dans le cas de microcellules Cs-Ne, ce phénomène de fuite est estimé pouvoir limiter la stabilité des micro-horloges atomiques à un niveau proche de 10-11 à 1 jour. Des tests, menés sur des cellules Cs-He, démontrent une réduction significative de presque 2 ordres de grandeur de ces phénomènes de fuite avec l’utilisation de verres alumino-silicatés (ASG). / The combination of coherent population trapping (CPT) physics, microfabrication techniques and semi-conductor diode lasers has allowed the development of miniature atomic clocks exhibiting a fractional frequency stability at 1 day averaging time up to 2 orders of magnitude better than massively-used quartz-crystal oscillators for a similar volume and power consumption. These miniature atomic clocks associate a fully-miniaturized physics package and an electronics card that drives the clock.This thesis, supervised by FEMTO-ST and Tronics Microsystems and actively supported by DGA in the frame of projects DGA HABAC and DGA EDAM, targeted to the design, thermal and magnetic simulation, development and metrological characterization in clock operation of fully-miniaturized physics packages. These physics packages have to respond to constraints and specifications of an industrial miniature atomic clock for strategic applications. Two designs of physics package have been proposed, the main difference between them being the optical path.The physics package integrates a VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface emitting laser) diode laser, optical components to route and polarize the laser beam, a buffer-gas filled Cs vapor microfabricated cell (developed in FEMTO-ST and industrially transferred to Tronics Microsystems), a photodetector and several sensors/actuators to stabilize the temperature of key elements. The ensemble is inserted into a 15*15*13 mm3 « cube », surrounded by a solenoid to apply a static magnetic field and a mu-metal magnetic shielding. The power consumption of the physics package is about 250 mW in the steady-state at room temperature.Physics packages have been tested in clock operation with a non-integrated laboratory-prototype electronics support. State-of-the-art clock fractional frequency stability performances at the level of 2.5 10-11 and 2 10-11 at 1 and 105 s averaging time respectively have been demonstrated in a quiet environment. In order to demonstrate best mid-term stability performances, advanced techniques have been implemented through two additional servo loops, aiming to reduce dramatically temperature-induced light-shift effects. Studies targeting to evaluate the stability of the microcell inner atmosphere, possibly limited by gas permeation effects through the cell windows, have been also performed. In that sense, preliminary “aging” tests, performed over 15-21 days measurements, have been investigated with different microcells, adopting borofloat glass or alumino-silicate glass (ASG). In the case of Cs-Ne microcells, this phenomenon is measured and estimated to limit the clock fractional frequency stability at a level o about 10-11 at 1 day. Other tests, led with Cs-He cells, have demonstrated a significant reduction by almost 2 orders of magnitude of these leakage phenomena using ASG wafers.