Room thermostat with servo controlled by PIC microcontroller

This paper describes the design of room thermostat with Microchip PIC microcontroller. Thermostat is designated for two-pipe heating system. The microprocessor controls thermostatic valve via electric actuator with mechanical gear unit. The room thermostat uses for its activity measurements of air temperature in the room and calorimetric measurement of heat, which is served to the radiator. These features predestinate it mainly for underfloor heating regulation. The thermostat is designed to work in a network. Communication with heating system's central control unit is proceeded via RS485 bus with proprietary communication protocol. If the communication failure occurs the thermostat is able to work separately. The system uses its own real time clock circuit and memory with heating programs. These programs are able to cover the whole heating season. The method of position discontinuous PSD control is used in this equipment

Optical Fiber Distributed Sensing System Applied in Cement Concrete Commixture Research

DTS are unique optical-fiber distributed systems for measuring of temperature or mechanical tension. These systems use non-linear properties of optical fibers. Optical fiber can therefore be used not only for telecommunication purposes, as is currently the case, but also as a sensor. Optical fiber used by the DTS system can be therefore imagine as thousands of sensors placed along the route, taking all advantages of optical fiber, such as resistance to electromagnetic radiation, safe use in flammable and explosive environments, resistance to aggressive environments, small sizes, easy installation and maintenance-free operation. The properties of DTS system mentioned above seem to be ideal for detailed mapping of the hydration heat of concrete mix in the transition to a rigid structure. Values based on measurements will be used to better understanding of the processes inside the concrete mixture (individual samples) and will serve to develop better and more durable mixture

Human Papillomavirus Genotype Distribution in Czech Women and Men with Diseases Etiologically Linked to HPV

The HPV prevalence and genotype distribution are important for the estimation of the impact of HPV-based cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination on the incidence of diseases etiologically linked to HPVs. The HPV genotype distribution varies across different geographical regions. Therefore, we investigated the type-specific HPV prevalence in Czech women and men with anogenital diseases.We analyzed 157 squamous cell carcinoma samples, 695 precancerous lesion samples and 64 cervical, vulvar and anal condylomata acuminate samples. HPV detection and typing were performed by PCR with GP5+/6+ primers, reverse line blot assay and sequencing. samples. HPV types 6 and/or 11 were detected in 84% samples of condylomata acuminate samples.The prevalence of vaccinal and related HPV types in patients with HPV-associated diseases in the Czech Republic is very high. We may assume that the implementation of routine vaccination against HPV would greatly reduce the burden of HPV-associated diseases in the Czech Republic

Molecular Genetic Analysis of 103 Sporadic Colorectal Tumours in Czech Patients

The Czech Republic has one of the highest incidences of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Europe. To evaluate whether sporadic CRCs in Czech patients have specific mutational profiles we analysed somatic genetic changes in known CRC genes (APC, KRAS, TP53, CTNNB1, MUTYH and BRAF, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the APC locus, microsatellite instability (MSI), and methylation of the MLH1 promoter) in 103 tumours from 102 individuals. The most frequently mutated gene was APC (68.9% of tumours), followed by KRAS (31.1%), TP53 (27.2%), BRAF (8.7%) and CTNNB1 (1.9%). Heterozygous germline MUTYH mutations in 2 patients were unlikely to contribute to the development of their CRCs. LOH at the APC locus was found in 34.3% of tumours, MSI in 24.3% and MLH1 methylation in 12.7%. Seven tumours (6.9%) were without any changes in the genes tested. The analysis yielded several findings possibly specific for the Czech cohort. Somatic APC mutations did not cluster in the mutation cluster region (MCR). Tumours with MSI but no MLH1 methylation showed earlier onset and more severe mutational profiles compared to MSI tumours with MLH1 methylation. TP53 mutations were predominantly located outside the hot spots, and transitions were underrepresented. Our analysis supports the observation that germline MUTYH mutations are rare in Czech individuals with sporadic CRCs. Our findings suggest the influence of specific ethnic genetic factors and/or lifestyle and dietary habits typical for the Czech population on the development of these cancers

A concept of a hybrid WDM/TDM topology using the Fabry-Perot laser in the Optiwave simulation environment

The aim of this article is to point out the possibility of solving problems related to a concept of a flexible hybrid optical access network. The entire topology design was realized using the OPTIWAVE development environment in which particular test measurements were carried out as well. Therefore, in the following chapters, we will subsequently focus on individual parts of the proposed topology and will give reasons for their functions whilst the last part of the article consists of values measured in the topology and their overall evaluation

The study of sensory properties of quasi-singlemode fiber

Kvazi-jednovidová optická vlákna jsou optická vlákna s unikátními vlastnostmi, jejichž atypická profilová struktura umožňuje současné využití optického vlákna jako přenosového média a současně jako senzoru založeného na přerozdělování optického výkonu mezi několik vidů. Ve spolupráci s ÚFE AVČR byl vyvinut speciální typ kvazijednovidového vlákna SG1005, který je podroben experimentálnímu ověření jeho teoretických vlastností v optické laboratoři na Katedře telekomunikační techniky VŠB-TU Ostrava. Článek je zaměřen na posouzení vlivu mechanického napětí v podobě tahového zatížení vlákna na přerozdělení optického výkonu mezi jednotlivými vidy. Výsledky budou použity k dalšímu matematickému vyhodnocení.The quasi-singlemode fibers are optical fibers with unique properties, the atypical profile structure allows the simultaneous use of optical fiber as transmission media and sensors, based on the distribution of optical power among several modes. In collaboration with the ASČR ÚFE was developed a special type of quasi-singlemode fiber SG1005, which is subjected to experimental verification of its theoretical properties in the optical laboratory at the Department of Telecommunications, VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava. The article is focused on assessing the impact of mechanical stress in the form of a tension load on the fiber optical power redistribution between modes. Results will be used to further mathematical evaluation

Fiber Optical Sensor for High Temperatures

The fiber optic sensors are used in various industries. Advantages of optical sensors are based on the benefits of fiber and partially profit at their technological advances. The fiber optic temperature sensors are based on more than one way of scanning, all reach the upper scanning limit of about 600 °C. This article aims to introduce the principle of the sensor based on black body radiation. This type of sensor is difficult to specify precisely, it can not be easily classified into groups of intensity sensors or radiation sensors. At lower temperatures, it could be classified into intensity sensors, but at higher temperatures occurs to its own radiation of photons inside the fiber

Cross-Sectional Measuring of Optical Beam

<p><span>This article deals with problematic of measuring of optical beam in free space optics (FSO). The professional FSO link was created between two buildings standing 1,5 kilometers apart from each other. Signal passing through the atmospheric media between optical heads is affected. This happens due to effects in atmospheric media. This article describes creating of the device for measuring the intensity of optical beam in 2D space and its subsequent rendering into 3D graph. </span></p

Design of fiber Bragg grating sensor networks

This study explores the effective use of a spectral area defined by a radiation source for multipoint measurements with fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. The capacity of the sensor network based on a wavelength multiplex is limited by the spectral work area of the used radiation source and by several other parameters, such as the spectral parameters of individual sensors, type of the measured quantity and measurement range, sensitivity coefficients, production tolerances, and protection zones among the measuring channels. This is why it is necessary to use this limited area in an "economical" manner. The initial part of this article explores modeling of sensor networks using Bragg gratings, an output of which is an analysis of the impact of individual parameters on the capacity of a sensor network. These models are then applied to the mathematical definition of the given network proposal formed by real sensors. At the end, the stated principles are verified by real measurements with a sensor network formed by five Bragg sensors. The study points to the necessity of paying close attention to the proposals of sensor networks with FBG for the purpose of the effective use of the given spectral work area, increasing capacity, and reducing the possibility of crosstalk when assessing the Bragg sensors.Web of Science71art. no. 700141