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No. 41/2020 (Dec. 14, 2020)
Google's artificial intelligence continues to overcome barriers.
DeepMind, a Google-owned artificial intelligence (AI) program, has made a breakthrough in solving one of the greatest challenges in biology, to determine a protein’s 3D shape from its amino-acid sequence. The algorithm AlphaFold came top of the table at this year's CASP (Critical Assessment of Structure Prediction) competition. It is a biennial contest to develop the best system for determining 3D structures of proteins. Google's algorithm was ahead of a hundred other teams, by correctly determining all the competition structures. The ability to accurately predict protein structures from their amino-acid sequences would be highly beneficial to life sciences and medicine. It would greatly speed up the efforts made to understand cell structure and enable faster and more advanced drug development.Proteins are the building blocks of life responsible for most of what goes on inside cells. The way a protein works and what it does depends on its 3D shape. "Structure is a function" is an axiom of molecular biology. Proteins in organisms have primarily the structural and backup function. Proteins build cell organelles. Fibrous proteins are part of connective tissue. Globular proteins are primarily the ingredients of body fluids. Cellular enzymes that control metabolic reactions are also proteins. There are also hormones with a protein structure. Proteins have also transport function, creating transporters and ion channels in cell membranes. Immune proteins, immunoglobulins (antibodies) also exist.
The 3D protein shape
AlphaFold's performance is also a turning point for DeepMind. The long-term goal of the company is to create programs capable of achieving human intelligence. Facing huge scientific challenges, such as predicting protein structure, is one of the key applications that artificial intelligence can have.
Andrei Lupas, an evolutionary biologist at the Max Planck Institute for the Developmental Biology in Tübingen, Germany, who evaluated the results of various teams in the CASP competition, says the program to determine protein structures is a major game changer in medicine and bioengineering. The AlphaFold algorithm has already helped him find the structure of the protein he and his team has worked on in a lab for a decade. The program can therefore significantly speed up the work of scientists in laboratories around the globe.
Demis Hassabis, the co-founder and CEO of DeepMind, says the company plans to make AlphaFold a useful and accessible tool for scientists, helping, among other things, in the rapid development of new drugs.
How to adjust image quality when viewed in a browser.
Hikvision DVRs and IP cameras generate several data streams with different chosen specifications. When properly controlled, the network stream can be matched with the capacity of the link used by the system and to the DVR’s performance. Devices typically generate two primary streams: one with a higher (primary) and one with a lower quality (secondary). The secondary is usually used for grid layout preview on the DVR and when connected via mobile devices. Due to the limitations of the available network bandwidth, the preview of the image through the browser via the secondary stream is often required.
List of cameras displaying images from different streams (in a browser window).
The images from cameras 1...4 are provided via main streams, the rest comes from auxiliary streams.
The images from cameras 1...4 are provided via main streams, the rest comes from auxiliary streams.
To switch the stream from a single camera, the user must select the camera by moving cursor on its name. After that it will be possible to choose the other kind of stream. All streams can be changed to one type by clicking on the stream type icon under the image area. These settings are not saved permanently. To set the required stream permanently, the user should choose the stream type in configuration/local settings menu.
Adding cameras to the Hikvision IP video intercom.
A camera built into the video intercom is usually unable to be aimed at the desired point, and its field of vision may be obscured by the caller. A solution to this may be the use of cameras from the existing surveillance system and adding them to the video intercom monitor. Integration is possible through:- adding Hikvision IP cameras to a video intercom monitor,
- adding a third-party IP camera using the ONVIF protocol (2nd gen. monitors from firmware version v2.1.2),
- adding any camera (HIKVISION, ONVIF) through an HD-TVI/IP DVR.
Image from max. 16 cameras can be added and previewed. Adding cameras is possible directly at the monitor level or using the iVMS-4200 client application. To do this, go to the remote settings and then: Remote settings->Intercom->IP camera details.
An example of direct connection of the Hikvision IP camera and the ONVIF protocol selected in the G74001 DS-KH6320-WTE1/EU monitor
Compact TERRA S3C32WB headend.
The S3C32WB R81635 32-channel headend is a device that enables distribution of the uncoded FTA and BISS coded channels. The S3C32WB R81635 has 32 transmodulators, each of which receives the signal from the entire satellite transponder (several programs), and then creates respectively 32 DVB-C multiplexes, enabling the reception of 32 digital multiplexes on TV sets equipped with a DVB-C head. Channels received from a specific transponder can be filtered as desired. The only condition is that the maximum bandwidth at the modulator output may not be exceeded.
The S3C32WB DVB-S/S2 - DVB-C R81635 headend can use dCSR series multiswitches to receive DVB-S/S2 signal from 8 satellite positions and modulate up to 32 DVB-C multiplexes
The most important features of the S3C32WB R81635 headend:
- transmodulation of DVB-S/S2 (8PSK/QPSK) signals into DVB-C (QAM) signals,
- reception of FTA channels from max. 8 satellite positions,
- support for BISS decryption (no smart cards from the operator are needed, the program is decoded with a key entered at the headend),
- built-in remultiplexer - creating DVB-C multiplexes of any content,
- any output channel can be set up in the 48-858 MHz range,
- redundant power supply to instantly switch between power sources,
- possibility of playing TS files from USB memory,
- intuitive LEDs to signal device operation,
- compact size,
- high functionality,
- low power consumption.
Splicing optical fibers – testing with VFL.
Signal Fire Ai-9 splicers have a built-in visual VFL fault locator. This device generates visible (red) light with a wavelength of 650 nm for preliminary check of a splice. After removing a pigtail from the package, the user connects its plug to the VFL socket, while the free end of the fiber is spliced with that of the cable. After splicing, it is possible to generate visible light with the "650" button on the front of the splicer. The person at the other end of the link checks if the light reaches the other end of the optical path.Interestingly, Signal Fire splicer can splice when the visible light is already propagated through the fiber. Splicing with the VFL on relies on the splicer mechanical system and its software. Some splicers refuse to work if this is the case. This feature can be useful when visible light is introduced into several or more fibers using an optical splitter on one side of the connection (using a dedicated VFL, to avoid switching the light source and being constantly in touch with the splicing person), and splicing is performed on the other side.
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Signal Fire Ai-9 L5875 splicer has a built-in VFL module. Therefore, it is possible to connect the pigtail being spliced directly to the module, and then splice and verify the joint.
The smallest managed PoE switch.
Managed TP-LINK switches are advanced network management devices. With easy access to configuration functions controlling network traffic becomes much simpler than before. Available management options include command-line interface (CLI) and management via web browser. The managed gigabit switches provide very high stability and efficiency of operations – the basic features required by network administrators. Reliable operation of the network is also supported by spanning tree protocol, QoS and robust transmission security features.The TP-Link TL-SG2008P N29963 PoE switch has eight gigabit ports, four of which support the 802.3at/af (PoE) standard, they enable powering the connected devices.
Key features:
- 4 PoE+ ports compliant with 802.3at/af with a total power of connected devices 62 W,
- Advanced functions securing network traffic including VLAN 802.1Q, Port Security and Storm Control for efficient management of a local network,
- Operation integrated with the Omada SDN platform,
- Possibility to optimize voice and video transmissions thanks to QoS functions (L2/L3/L4),
- IGMP snooping,
- Managed via a web browser and command line,
- SNMP and RMON support enable convenient device management.
TP-Link TL-SG2008P PoE switch Smart 8xGE(4xPoE) 802.3af/at 62W 62W
 | TP-Link TL-SG2428P PoE switch Smart N29969 has 24 PoE 10/100/1000 Mbps ports compliant with 802.3at/af, which can supply up to 250 W power, which allows for providing power to multiple access points and/or IP cameras. Moreover, the switch is equipped with 4 gigabit SFP slots. The device provides high data transfer efficiency, advanced security and QoS functions, and extensive second-layer traffic management functionalities. | |
 | DS-KABV8113-RS/Surface G74381 is a rain shield (housing) dedicated for surface mounting of the DS-KV8X13-WME1 IP Villa 2 . gen. door/gate stations. It protects the door/gate station from weather conditions, such as rain or snow. | |
 | TP-Link TL-SG2008P PoE switch Smart N29963 are advanced devices for network traffic management With easy access to configuration functions, controlling network traffic becomes much simpler than before. Available management options include command-line interface (CLI) and management via web browser. The managed gigabit switches provide very high stability and efficiency of operations – the basic features required by network administrators. | |
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Monitoring of an apartment building based on high resolution Hikvision IP cameras. The following figure shows a concept of a video monitoring system covering a building, based on a Hikvision NVR and IP cameras from the EasyIP 3.0 series. Cameras with a resolution of 6 MP and 2.8 mm fixed focal length mm were used to build the monitoring system. With high resolution of the cameras and wide viewing angle of 99°, a large area can be monitored with good quality. The cameras support the Dark Fighter (Ultra-low-light) technology which provides better color reproduction in poor lighting conditions compared to the ones without that function. Compact camera models DS-2CD2065FWD-I K17596 were used for monitoring outdoors, while the indoor monitoring uses the ceiling DS-2CD2165FWD-I K17306 cameras... >>>more
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