RNA polymerase (RNAP) is a key multi-subunit enzyme of gene expression that, together with the σ factor, forms a holoenzyme and transcribes genetic information from DNA to RNA. RNAP from Bacillus subtilis and its primary factor σA were studied in this thesis. The σA factor determines the specificity for the promoters to which the holoenzyme binds. Part of its structure is domain 1.1, which is likely to prevent binding of σA to the promoter by itself (unless it is part of the holoenzyme) by binding to domains 2 and 4. The first part of the thesis verifies the hypothesis that domain 1.1 binds domains 2 and 4 and thus prevents binding of σA to the promoter. To this end, various domain constructs have been created and their interactions have been tested. Domain interaction was tested by Nitrocellulose Filter Binding Assay, EMSA, and in vitro transcription. The results did not show significant interaction between domains. The second part of the thesis deals with the creation of a tool for the study of the enzymatology of RNAP from B. subtilis - recombinant RNAP (rRNAP). First, a plasmid construct for expression of rRNAP in Escherichia coli was constructed by a series of cloning steps, followed by protein isolation and characterization. Isolation was achieved without contamination by σ factors (this...

This thesis strives to enhance the performance of delta-sigma modulators in two areas: increasing their speed and enabling their operation in a low voltage environment. Parallelism based on time-interleaving can be used to increase the speed of delta-sigma modulators. A novel single-path time-interleaved architecture is derived and analyzed. Finite opamp gain and bandwidth result in a mismatch between the noise transfer functions of the internal quantizers which degrades the performance of the new modulator. Two techniques are presented to mitigate the mismatch problem: a hybrid topology where the first stage uses multiple integrators while the rest of the modulator uses a single path of integrators and a digital calibration method. The input-feedforward technique removes the input-signal component from the internal nodes of delta-sigma modulators. The removal of the signal component reduces the signal swing and distortion requirements for the opamps. These characteristics enable the reliable implementation of delta-sigma modulators in modern CMOS technology. Two implementation issues for modulators with input-feedforward are considered. First, the drawback of the analog adder at the quantizer input is identified and the capacitive input feedforward technique is introduced to eliminate the adder. Second, the double sampled input technique is proposed to remove the critical path generate by the input feedforward path. Novel input-feedforward delta-sigma architecture is proposed. The new digital input feedforward (DIFF) modulator maintains the low swing and low distortion requirements of the input feedforward technique, it eliminates the analog adder at the quantizer input, and it improves the achievable resolution. To demonstrate these advantages, a configurable delta-sigma modulator which can operate as a feedback topology or in DIFF mode is implemented in 0.18μm CMOS technology. Both modulators operate at 20MHz clock with an oversampling ratio of 8. The power consumption in the DIFF mode is 22mW and in feedback mode is 19mW. However, the DIFF mode achieves a peak SNDR of 73.7dB (77.1dB peak SNR) while the feedback mode achieves a peak SNDR of 64.3dB (65.9dB peak SNR). Therefore, the energy required per conversion step for the DIFF architecture (2.2 pJ/step) is less than half of that required by the feedback architecture (5.7 pJ/step).

This thesis strives to enhance the performance of delta-sigma modulators in two areas: increasing their speed and enabling their operation in a low voltage environment. Parallelism based on time-interleaving can be used to increase the speed of delta-sigma modulators. A novel single-path time-interleaved architecture is derived and analyzed. Finite opamp gain and bandwidth result in a mismatch between the noise transfer functions of the internal quantizers which degrades the performance of the new modulator. Two techniques are presented to mitigate the mismatch problem: a hybrid topology where the first stage uses multiple integrators while the rest of the modulator uses a single path of integrators and a digital calibration method. The input-feedforward technique removes the input-signal component from the internal nodes of delta-sigma modulators. The removal of the signal component reduces the signal swing and distortion requirements for the opamps. These characteristics enable the reliable implementation of delta-sigma modulators in modern CMOS technology. Two implementation issues for modulators with input-feedforward are considered. First, the drawback of the analog adder at the quantizer input is identified and the capacitive input feedforward technique is introduced to eliminate the adder. Second, the double sampled input technique is proposed to remove the critical path generate by the input feedforward path. Novel input-feedforward delta-sigma architecture is proposed. The new digital input feedforward (DIFF) modulator maintains the low swing and low distortion requirements of the input feedforward technique, it eliminates the analog adder at the quantizer input, and it improves the achievable resolution. To demonstrate these advantages, a configurable delta-sigma modulator which can operate as a feedback topology or in DIFF mode is implemented in 0.18μm CMOS technology. Both modulators operate at 20MHz clock with an oversampling ratio of 8. The power consumption in the DIFF mode is 22mW and in feedback mode is 19mW. However, the DIFF mode achieves a peak SNDR of 73.7dB (77.1dB peak SNR) while the feedback mode achieves a peak SNDR of 64.3dB (65.9dB peak SNR). Therefore, the energy required per conversion step for the DIFF architecture (2.2 pJ/step) is less than half of that required by the feedback architecture (5.7 pJ/step).

This dissertation presents a comprehensive design and analysis framework for system-on-a-chip analog-to-digital conversion design. The design encompasses a broad class of systems, which take advantage of system-on-a-chip complexity. This class is exemplified by an interferometric photodetector array based bio-optoelectronic sensor that is built and tested as part of the reported work. While there have been many discussions of the technical details of individual analog-to-digital converter (ADC) schemes in the literature, the importance of the analog front-end as a pre-processor for a data converter and the generalized analysis including converter encoding and decoding functions have not previously been investigated thoroughly, and these are key elements in the choice of converter designs for low-noise systems such as bio-optoelectronic sensors. Frequency domain analog front-end models of ADCs are developed to enable the architectural modeling of ADCs. The proposed models can be used for ADC statistically worst-case performance estimation, with stationary random process assumptions on input signals. These models prove able to reveal the architectural advantages of a specific analog-to-digital converter schemes quantitatively, allowing meaningful comparisons between converter designs. The modeling of analog-to-digital converters as communication channels and the ADC functional analysis as encoders and decoders are developed. This work shows that analog-to-digital converters can be categorized as either a decoder-centered design or an encoder-centered design. This perspective helps to show the advantages of nonlinear decoding schemes for oversampling noise-shaping data converters, and a new nonlinear decoding algorithm is suggested to explore the optimum solution of the decoding problem. A case study of decoder-centered and encoder-centered data converter designs is presented by applying the proposed theoretical framework. The robustness and flexibility of the resulting analog-to-digital converters are demonstrated and compared. The electrical and optical sensitivity measurements of a fabricated oversampling noise shaping analog-to-digital converter circuit are provided, and a sensor system-on-a-chip using these ADCs with integrated interferometric waveguides for bio-optoelectronic sensing is demonstrated.

The thesis proposes an integrator with an OPAMP in the feedback loop to fulfill 1MHz bandwidth SI Sigma Delta modulator. The OPAMP is used to pull down the input impedance and get high speed and high resolution. Oversampling and noise shaping are the two keys of Sigma Delta modulator. In structure, multistage is helpful for depressing noises and we use three stages to fulfill this 4-order proposed Sigma Delta modulator. The proposed Sigma Delta modulator uses TSMC 0.18£gm CMOS process and it is a 4-order and three stages SI Sigma Delta modulator. The sampling rate is 32MHz, bandwidth is 1MHz, and oversampling ratio is 16.

ABSTRACT A GUIDE FOR CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES TO APPLY LEAN SIX SIGMA METHODOLOGY D&Uuml / gME, Fatma Zehra M.S., Department of Civil Engineering Supervisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Yasemin NIELSEN April 2008, 245 pages The construction sector is an immensely important industrial sector in terms of economic and social impact and also employment facilities. Nonetheless, much research has pointed out a gap in terms of labor productivity, quality, performance and responsiveness to customer needs when compared with other large industrial sectors / sectors that have recently experienced huge gains and cost reductions via methods like Lean Six Sigma. In this study, the construction industry will be examined for determination of the potential Lean Six Sigma implementation level and expected benefits from its use. The author conducted interviews with three companies in order to find out their readiness for such a management by innovation. One of the companies was selected for further study due to suitability of their organizational structure, innovative strategy and interest in this study. By taking up this pilot study and Lean Six Sigma principles as references, five roadmaps are generated as a guidance to implement Lean Six Sigma methodology for companies indicating the general steps before and during the implementation. The proposed roadmaps and applied questionnaire/interview questions developed in this thesis will also be helpful to construction companies to scrutinize their own structure and performance levels and as a guide on how to pursuit improvements through the proposed implementation of the Lean Six Sigma methodology.

Magistro baigiamajame darbe procesų tobulinimas analizuotas kaip kokybės vadybos dalis. Išanalizuoti pasirinktos įmonės problematiškiausi procesai, nustatytos šių problemų priežastys ir pateikti siūlymai procesų tobulinimui. Pirmojoje darbo dalyje atlikta mokslinės literatūros analizė, pristatyta kokybės vadybos raida. Antrojoje dalyje aptartas procesų tobulinimas kaip kokybės vadybos dalis, procesų reikšmė sėkmingai organizacijos veiklai. Atlikus literatūros analizę, pateiktos 6 sigma ir Lean šeši sigma metodikos, naudojamos procesų tobulinimui. Trečiojoje – analizuojami pasirinktos įmonės problematiškiausi procesai, remiantis 6 sigma DMAIC metodu ir Lean šeši sigma principais, analizuojami duomenys, gauti interviu su įmonės darbuotojais metu, atlikus įmonės reikiamų dokumentų analizę ir stebint procesus. Išanalizuoti du (slaptų pirkėjų atrankos ir projektų koordinavimo) procesai, pateiktos tobulinimo galimybės. / Process improvement was analyzed as a part of quality management. Two problematic processes of the selected company were analyzed, the causes of these problems were found and solutions to process improvement were given. The first chapter of master’s work was dedicated to analyze the literature and to introduce the development of Quality Management. In the second chapter, process improvement was discussed as a part of Quality Management, also processes importance to organization’s successful work. After the literature analysis, process improvement methods were introduced - 6 sigma and Lean 6 sigma. The third chapter includes the analysis of chosen company’s problematic processes, using 6 sigma and Lean 6 sigma methods. Data collected during the interviews with the employees of the company and from necessary company documents, were analyzed as well. Two processes (mystery shoppers’ selection and project coordination) were analyzed and solutions to processes improvement were given.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [176]-190).

Název práce: Studium efektivních Lagrangianů a jejich aplikace Autor: Jaroslav Trnka Katedra: Ústav částicové a jaderné fyziky Vedoucí disertační práce: RNDr. Jiří Novotný, CSc., ÚČJF Abstrakt: V této práci studujeme různé aspekty efektivních teorií pole pro kvan- tovou chromodynamiku (QCD). V prvních dvou kapitolách se zaměříme na efek- tivní teorii pro resonance, která interpoluje mezi nízkoenergetickou efektivní teorií (Chirální poruchová teorie) a vysokoenergetickou QCD. V rámci této teorie studu- jeme jednosmyčkovou renormalizaci, jak z pohledu výpočetního pomocí SS-PP korelátoru, tak i čistě koncepčního studiem dynamicky generovaných stupňů vol- nosti. Ve čtvrté kapitole studujeme amplitudy rozptylu v rámci nelineárního sig- ma modelu, který představuje vedoucí člen nízkoenergetické efektivní teorie pro QCD. V návaznosti na nedávné objevy v rámci Yang-Mills teorie se nám podaří v rámci tohoto modelu zkonstruovat rekurzivní relace pro stromové amplitudy. Kromě čistě teoretické důležitosti tohoto faktu představuje tato metoda efektivní výpočetní nástroj nezávislý na formulaci amplitud pomocí Feynmanovských dia- gramů. Klíčová slova: efektivní teorie pole, kvantová chromodynamika, nelineární sigma model...

A sustentação econômica de empresas de eletrodomésticos está relacionada com a capacidade de desenvolver produtos inovadores, com qualidade elevada e custo competitivo em relação à concorrência. Adicionam-se a estes requisitos, a agilidade na entrega para os clientes, dispostos a despender mais recursos para possuir um produto inovador. O estudo e aprimoramento do Processo de Desenvolvimento de Produtos (PDP) têm sido explorado a fim de garantir agilidade e cumprimento das premissas definidas no escopo de cada projeto. Neste trabalho apresenta-se uma proposta de integração entre os métodos de Arquitetura Modular e Seis Sigma, objetivando melhores resultados financeiros e de qualidade, através da aplicação conjunta. A partir de uma revisão da literatura e estudos dos processos de Arquitetura Modular, Seis Sigma e PDP de uma empresa de eletrodomésticos, o autor propõe uma integração entre os métodos, aplicados à um modelo de PDP conhecido, de Ulrich e Eppinger (2000), e também propõe indicadores para medir os resultados obtidos com esta integração. Para ajustes da proposta, ela é aplicada no desenvolvimento de um aparelho de ar condicionado, através de um estudo de caso na empresa de eletrodomésticos. Os resultados indicaram que a proposta de integração é viável, sendo que as etapas da Arquitetura Modular devem coincidir com as fases de planejamento e desenvolvimento do conceito do produto e, o Seis Sigma é uma ferramenta que contribui para a otimização do produto após a conceitualização. A decisão de investimento no projeto Seis Sigma durante o desenvolvimento do produto deve ser justificada através de uma ferramenta de estudo dos riscos e impacto de falha, como o FMEA, por exemplo. O resultado indicou que o uso isolado da Arquitetura Modular pode não gerar ganhos tão significativos se comparada à aplicação desta em integração com o Seis Sigma, o qual possibilita otimização nos módulos. Ganhos de qualidade, referentes à integração entre Arquitetura Modular e Seis Sigma, possibilitaram a comunalização de peças, aliadas a melhoria de qualidade, garantindo melhores resultados sem aumentar o risco de epidemias de falhas. Por fim, a proposta de integração sofreu alguns ajustes e sugere-se a aplicação em projetos futuros, com o intuito de aumentar o horizonte de aplicação, e por conseqüência, tornar os indicadores mais robustos. / Support economic development companies of household appliances is related to the ability to develop innovative products with high quality and competitive cost-competitive. Add to these requirements, fast delivery to customers willing to spend more resources to have an innovative product. The study and improvement of Product Development Process (PDP) have been extensively exploited in order to ensure compliance and agility of the premises defined in the scope of each project. This paper presents a proposal to integrate the methods of Six Sigma and Modular Architecture, aimed at improved financial results and quality through the joint application. From a literature review and study the processes of Modular Architecture, Six Sigma and PDP of an appliance company, the author proposes an integration between the methods applied to a known PDP model, Ulrich and Eppinger (2000), and also proposes indicators to measure the results obtained with this integration. For the proposed adjustments, it is applied in the development of an air conditioner, through a case study in the company of home appliances. The results indicated that the proposed integration is viable and that the stages of Modular Architecture should coincide with the phases of planning and development of the product concept, and Six Sigma is a tool that contributes to the optimization of the product after the conceptualization of same. The decision to invest in Six Sigma project during product development must be justified by a tool to study the risks and impact of failure, such as FMEA, for example. The result indicated that the isolated use of Modular Architecture can not generate significant gains as compared to the application of this integration with Six Sigma, which allows the optimization modules. Quality gains, related to the integration between Arquiterua Modular and Six Sigma, allowed communalisation of parts, coupled with improvements in quality, ensuring better results without increasing the risk of epidemics of failures. Finally, the proposed integration suffered some adjustments and it is suggested to use in future projects, in order to increase the horizon of application, and consequently, become more robust indicators.