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Higher Education in France and the United States: Historical Development and Structure
Ruggiero, Christopher Alan ; Kalous, Jaroslav (advisor) ; Calda, Miloš (referee)
In September of 2005, The Economist magazine released a survey of higher education1 declaring that "America's system of higher education is the best in the world. That is because there is no system." Three reasons for America's success were cited: limited involvement of the federal government; a spirit of competition between institutions of higher learning; and the idea that American universities were not afraid to abandon a strictly classical education and be 'useful'. By contrast, the survey portrayed European higher education as an archaic 'mess', citing fundamental problems such as too much state control and the lack of freedom at the disposal of institutions of higher learning to manage their own affairs. This paper will explore the argument put forth by The Economist by presenting higher education in the United States and France. The reason for choosing France is because it represents, in many ways, the archetypical model of centralized, state control. The position which each nation embodies in higher education and in many other aspects of society - centralization versus de centralization, the so-called French model versus the Anglo-Saxon model - warrants explanation. The idea that the French state is reluctant to embrace liberal reforms, or that the United States worships the free-market has become...
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Microbiota of the digestive tract of bees and related insect and the influencing facftors
Hroncová, Zuzana ; Havlík, Jaroslav (advisor) ; Kalous, Lukáš (referee)
This thesis consists of six research chapters, out of which, five have already been published in research journals, 1 is in the process of submission and the last chapter presents original unpublished confidential data in the process of manuscript preparation.
The research presented in this thesis concerns the complex mechanisms of bees and wasps immune system focused on microbiota as component of immunity. As shown in the introduction, highly social and managed species of bees like honey bees and bumble bees, play key roles in natural and agricultural ecosystems worldwide. Recent losses of bees have been attributed to pesticide exposure, poor nutrition, increased parasite loads and habitat degradation. Over the past several years, governments, beekeepers, and the general public worldwide have become concerned by increased losses of honey bee colonies, calling for more research on how to keep colonies healthy. Our main aim was to explore the complex mechanisms of bees and related species gut bacterial populations, their links to insect immunity and investigate the opportunities for an intervention. Part of our aim was to characterise the bumble bee and wasp gut microbiota using 16S RNA sequencing in a search for potentially novel bacterial species.
We have tried to explain how microbiome interacts with the host and showed that major members of these communities appear to benefit the host. The simple gut communities of social bees present ideal model systems to investigate the underlying evolutionary and genetic processes of such interactions. Information based on our results may help in the design of proper probiotic supplementation strategies with respect to physiological conditions in the honey bee gut.
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Application of bioscanners and videotechnique for studies of fish migration
Porš, Jaroslav ; Kalous, Lukáš (advisor) ; Lucie, Lucie (referee)
In recent years there has been a significant decrease in abundance and species diversity of migrating fish. A significant decrease was recorded especially in diadromous fish species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and eel (Anquilla anquilla). A significant population decline was also observed in potamodromous abundant fish species. Transverse barrier which prevents fish migration in rivers and impaired water quality are considered as the main causes of this situation. At present there is being improved a surface water quality, habitat rehabilitation and restoration of the possibility of free migration of aquatic animals. Design and construction of fish ladders are the most important factors to improve conditions of the fish migration. Closely related to this is a migration permeability testing of these fish ladders while the biological function and the activity of a single technical solution is evaluated. A non-invasive automatic monitoring method using a bioscanner Riverwatcher was selected to assess the functionality of fish passage on the river Ohře in Kynšperk nad Ohří. Bio scanner was installed at the end of the track of fish passage. Riverwatcher camera system, a product of Vaki Aquaculture Systems Ltd., was used in the Czech Republic for the very first time. Direct catches of fish samples in the river using an electric unit (section under fishway) were also used for the data collection. Size and species selectivity was tested at the fish ladder. The influence of external factors affecting the course of migration, such as flow rate, water temperature and light, was monitored at the same time.
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Methods for Analysis of Switched Circuits
Kovář, Jan ; Ondráček, Oldřich (referee) ; Kalous, Jaroslav (referee) ; Kolka, Zdeněk (advisor)
The dissertation deals with simulations of the DC-DC converters in their basic configurations (Buck, Boost, Buck-boost, Cuk, SEPIC). In the first part of the thesis derivation of transfer functions Line-to-Output (LTO) and Control-To-Output (CTO) can be found. These symbolic responses are derived for three types of basic converters (Buck, Boost, Buck-boost) using well-known average model [1]. Derived expressions are very complicated. For reduction of these expressions symbolic approximation method was used, however the generality is lost. The average model was used to for decreasing the computational effort of analysis of DC-DC converters in the time domain. For these simulations VHDL-AMS language was used. The main topic of the thesis is harmonic balance method, which was adapted to DC-DC converters. Because conditions and assumptions for LTO and CTO functions are very different, harmonic balance method was derived into two variants. For obtaining of LTO response, duty cycle of switching signal can be considered as constant in time. Spectrum of this signal is simple as follows from well-known sinc function. For obtaining of CTO response PWM modulation must be used. Compared to sinc function spectrum of PWM modulation is richer (contains more combination frequencies). Many types of PWM modulation is described in [31]. For simulation PWM modulation with uniform sampling in two variants (single and double edge) was used. Non-ideal switching of PWM switch was modeled by PWM pulse with defined slew rate. Last section deals with comparison of all derived functions (LTO, CTO, modulation type, defined slew rate) with well-known averaged model.
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Design of linear external excitation drive with oscillative motion
Gärtner, Jan ; Kalous, Jaroslav (referee) ; Singule, Vladislav (advisor)
This thesis deals with design of linear external excitation drive with oscillative motion. In the first part of the work is shown describe types of linear motors. Further is a part of analysis of concrete linear drives from patents database. In the next part of this work is straight design of linear external excitation drive with oscillative motion. The conception in-clude geometric model created with software Solidworks, calculation of forces with software Ansys and dynamic models of mechanical and electrical part of drive with software Mat-lab/Simulink. And is a mentions possibility of controls of this drive too.
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Design of linear internal excitation drive with oscillative motion
Kramář, Ondřej ; Kalous,, Jaroslav (referee) ; Singule, Vladislav (advisor)
This thesis deals with design of linear internal excitation drive with oscillative motion. Here is shown the survey area of linear drives, as well as the field of patents which are involved in this issue. This work is proposed specific conception of linear internal excitation drive with oscillative motion which is verified by simulation of dynamic behavior and for which is also proposed a control. Design of linear internal excitation drive with oscillative motion, that meet the specified input parameters is a goal of this thesis.
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Remediation of former In-Situ uranium mining region.
Kříž, Jakub ; Kalous, Jaroslav (referee) ; Jícha, Jaroslav (advisor)
Remediation process of region, formally exploited for chemical leaching of uranium, is based on pumping water contaminated mostly by residuals of sulfuric acid from the relevant geological horizons. The contaminated water is then treated in a chemical plant. In the treatment process evaporators play the key role. Presently operating evaporators – three units – are of falling film type. Heating service is provided by compressed vapor that is generated by evaporators. For driving the compressors and associated circulating pumps of each unit electric power of 3,4 MW is required. In the evaporators treated solution is distributed into individual tubes by nozzles of cyclone type that are mounted at the top end of tubes. In the evaporators feed solution contains calcium sulfide of low concentration. Once the calcium sulfide concentration in the evaporating process reaches the state of saturation, even locally, fouling is initiated. Thus the solids start to grow on the inner surface of the tube wall and the nozzle’s openings become restricted. The evaporator performance – evaporating rate – gradually declines and when it reaches the bottom limit the evaporator has to be shut down. This is followed by carrying out the cleaning procedure. At the time when the evaporators started operating (1996) the period between shut downs lasted around a half a year. However, gradually, this period has become substantially shorter – presently it may even last one week only. The thesis proposes two ways of approaching the present hardly acceptable state. First, replacement of distributing nozzles by a set of properly perforated sieve trays secures the uniform distribution of solution into each individual tube. Second, evaporators’ duty will be taken over by newly build multi-flash concentrator that will substitute the presently operating evaporators. Configuration of this new equipment is derived from widely used multi-flash distillation of sea water. Heat required by the concentrator’s end heaters is drawn from a gas turbine exhaust gas. Steam provided by Heat Recovery Steam Generator is supplied to the condensing heat exchangers installed on the evaporator’s feed stream. Generator coupled to the gas turbine, fueled by natural gas, provides the electric power of 30 MW for export.
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