The dissertation investigates the issues of analyzing a digital Sigma-Delta digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for audio power amplifiers. The main objects of research include a digital Sigma-Delta audio power DAC, improvement of its structure and an experimental research. The primary purpose of the dissertation is to suggest methods for improvement the structure of digital Sigma-Delta audio power DAC interpolator and the converter analysis. / Disertacijoje nagrinėjami Sigma-Delta skaitmeniniai-analoginiai (skaičiaus-analogo, SA) keitikliai garso galios stiprintuvams. Pagrindinis tyrimų objektas – skaitmeninis Sigma-Delta garso galios SA keitiklis, jo sandaros tobulinamas bei eksperimentinis tyrimas. Disertacijos tikslas – pasiūlyti skaitmeninio Sigma-Delta garso galios SA keitiklio interpoliatoriaus struktūros tobulinimo bei keitiklio tyrimo metodus.

The high-dose/refuge strategy is used globally to manage insect resistance development in genetically modified crops with insecticidal properties (Bt crops). The “refuge in a bag” (RIB) strategy is also being considered for deployment against several pest species. Busseola fusca, the target pest of Bt maize in South Africa, evolved resistance to Cry1Ab proteins. The objective of this study was to determine whether migrating B. fusca larvae are effectively controlled using the RIB strategy. A field study with a single-gene event (Cry1Ab) and a “pyramid” event (Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2) was conducted in which the migration patterns of B. fusca larvae in plots with different seed mixture treatments were studied. The experiment consisted of five seed mixture ratios (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% non-Bt seed and 100 % non-Bt seed as control). Natural infestation was augmented by artificial inoculation with neonate larvae into the central non-Bt maize plant of each plot. Rate of larval survival and migration, measured in terms of increase in number of plants per plot that exhibited borer damage was recorded at weekly intervals until flowering. A laboratory study was conducted to determine larval growth and survival when simulating migration between Bt and non-Bt maize plants. A feeding experiment in which larvae were reared on different types of maize (Bt and non-Bt) was conducted and larval survival and mass recorded after a 7-day feeding period. The incidence of damaged ears, stem damage and damaged internodes per stem were recorded and relationships between these variables determined by means of correlation analyses. A review was conducted in order to identify and discuss similarities and differences between the high-dose/refuge and seed mixture strategies. This was done to determine which strategy would be the most appropriate insect resistance management (IRM) strategy against B. fusca. The rate of survival and migration of B. fusca larvae was significantly higher in the plots with maize expressing Cry1Ab and control plots, than in plots with the pyramid Bt event. Older larvae exhibited improved growth and survival in the laboratory experiment when they were transferred from non-Bt to Bt plants. Positive correlations were found between early and late season damage, although some weaker than others. Plants of the “pyramid event” suffered less late-season damage than those of the single-gene event. Since the increase in number of damaged maize plants over time is associated with migration of older and larger larvae, the observed tendencies may indicate that the assumed high-dose does not kill larvae above a certain developmental stage. The high-dose refuge strategy seems to be the better option for delaying resistance development. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The high-dose/refuge strategy is used globally to manage insect resistance development in genetically modified crops with insecticidal properties (Bt crops). The “refuge in a bag” (RIB) strategy is also being considered for deployment against several pest species. Busseola fusca, the target pest of Bt maize in South Africa, evolved resistance to Cry1Ab proteins. The objective of this study was to determine whether migrating B. fusca larvae are effectively controlled using the RIB strategy. A field study with a single-gene event (Cry1Ab) and a “pyramid” event (Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2) was conducted in which the migration patterns of B. fusca larvae in plots with different seed mixture treatments were studied. The experiment consisted of five seed mixture ratios (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% non-Bt seed and 100 % non-Bt seed as control). Natural infestation was augmented by artificial inoculation with neonate larvae into the central non-Bt maize plant of each plot. Rate of larval survival and migration, measured in terms of increase in number of plants per plot that exhibited borer damage was recorded at weekly intervals until flowering. A laboratory study was conducted to determine larval growth and survival when simulating migration between Bt and non-Bt maize plants. A feeding experiment in which larvae were reared on different types of maize (Bt and non-Bt) was conducted and larval survival and mass recorded after a 7-day feeding period. The incidence of damaged ears, stem damage and damaged internodes per stem were recorded and relationships between these variables determined by means of correlation analyses. A review was conducted in order to identify and discuss similarities and differences between the high-dose/refuge and seed mixture strategies. This was done to determine which strategy would be the most appropriate insect resistance management (IRM) strategy against B. fusca. The rate of survival and migration of B. fusca larvae was significantly higher in the plots with maize expressing Cry1Ab and control plots, than in plots with the pyramid Bt event. Older larvae exhibited improved growth and survival in the laboratory experiment when they were transferred from non-Bt to Bt plants. Positive correlations were found between early and late season damage, although some weaker than others. Plants of the “pyramid event” suffered less late-season damage than those of the single-gene event. Since the increase in number of damaged maize plants over time is associated with migration of older and larger larvae, the observed tendencies may indicate that the assumed high-dose does not kill larvae above a certain developmental stage. The high-dose refuge strategy seems to be the better option for delaying resistance development. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

1. The method for automatic digital balancing of Wheatstone resistance bridge was developed and investigated using DAC R-2R matrix for evaluation of resistance small changes. Balancing method enables reducing of external influence impact to evaluation results and avoids most disadvantages that are common to classic systems based on unbalanced Wheatstone bridge. The parameters of connecting wires and channel switches are not impacting evaluation results in the system developed. Advantages of the system developed are proven by experiments. System developed allows low cost implementation of systems for evaluation of resistance small changes. 2. Possibilities for simplification of circuit for resistance small changes evaluation by using digital signal processing means are proven. It is established that by using known and the proposed methods for improvement of reliability of evaluation results resolution of the evaluation is 12–14 bits (0,024 % - 0,006 % accuracy). It is established that it is necessary to use digital signal processing methods for achieving such resolution. 3. New structures of resistance small change evaluation systems ensuring resolutions of 212 and 28 intended for laboratory investigations and monitoring of constructions are proposed. Experimental model of system with resolution of 28 was made and investigated. Methods of reducing noises in long cables were established during experiment. In general it was proven that the model is suitable for monitoring tasks... [to full text]