The Evolvable Virtual Machine abstract architecture (EVMA) is a computational architecture for dynamic hierarchically organised virtual machines. The concrete EVM instantiation (EVMI) builds on traditional stack-based models of computation and extends them by notions of hierarchy and reflection on the virtual machine level. The EVM Universe is composed of a number of autonomous and asynchronously communicating EVM machines. The main contribution of this work lies in the new model of computation and in the architecture itself: a novel, compact, flexible and expressive representation of distributed concurrent computation. The EVMA provides a way of expressing and modelling auto-catalytic networks composed of a hierarchical hypercycle of autopoietic subsystems characterised by self-adaptable structural tendencies and self-organised criticality. EVMA provides capabilities for: a) self-learning of dynamical patterns through continuous observation of computable environments, b) self-compacting and generalisation of existing program structures, c) emergence of efficient and robust communication code through appropriate machine assembly on both ends of communication channel. EVMA is in one sense a multi-dimensional generalisation of stack machine with the purpose of modelling concurrent asynchronous processing. EVMA approach can be also seen as a meta-evolutionary theory of evolution. The EVMA is designed to model systems that mimic living autonomous and adaptable computational processes. The EVMI prototype has been designed and developed to conduct experimental studies on complex evolving systems. The generality of our approach not only provides the means to experiment with complex hierarchical, computational and evolutionary systems, but it provides a useful model to evaluate, share and discuss the complex hierarchical systems in general. The EVMA provides a novel methodology and language to pursue research, to understand and to talk about evolution of complexity in living systems. In this thesis, we present the simple single-cell EVMI framework, discuss the multi-cell EVM Universe architecture, present experimental results, and propose further extensions, experimental studies, and possible hardware implementations of the EVMI.

Thesis (M.Sc.)(Computer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-123).

Streaming media and interactive television viewing experiences are becoming more commonplace with the introduction of services such as Netflix Streaming, the Apple TV, and Google TV aided by the increase adoption of broadband internet. As these services make their way into the living room, and developers struggle to accommodate more complex interaction requirements, new input methods and interfaces need to be developed. Current interfaces for controlling interactive TV and media management have typically been designed for the desktop and laptop experience, using conventional input devices like a trackpad, mouse and keyboard. These techniques are difficult to reconcile with the typical TV viewing experience. We designed an experiment to test a representative interactive TV interface with a number of emerging input technologies like the Nintendo Wiimote, Microsoft Kinect and tablet applications. We measured user performance with these devices while encumbered by a beverage and plate of food in order to simulate a living room experience. We found that while most of these technologies are suitable for navigating an Interactive TV experience, their use challenges us to rethink the user experience, and places limitations on things like button size and placement, as well as the types of UI widgets we can use. We hope these guidelines and heuristics will help in the design of future interactive TV experiences, as well as the development of novel interaction techniques for the TV viewing experience. / Graduation date: 2012 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from June 19, 2012 - June 19, 2013

This thesis presents a study of applications and techniques for molecular dynamics simulations. Three studies are presented that are intended to improve our ability to simulate larger systems more realistically. A comparison study of two- and three-body potential models for liquid and amorphous Si0��� is presented. The structural, vibrational, and dynamic properties of the substance are compared using two- and three-body potential energy models against experimental results. The three-body interaction does poorly at reproducing the experimental phonon density of states, but better at reproducing the Si-O-Si bond angle distribution. The three-body interaction also produces much higher diffusivities than the two-body interactions. A study of tabulated functions in molecular dynamics is presented. Results show that the use of tabulated functions as a method for accelerating the force and potential energy calculation can be advantageous for interactions above a certain complexity level. The decrease in precision due to the use of tabulated functions is negligible when the tables are sufficiently large. Finally, an investigation into the benefits of multi-threaded programming for molecular dynamics is presented. / Graduation date: 1999

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2006. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-198). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Dallas, 2006. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 231-251).

M.S. / Computer Science & Engineering / The tasks associated with designing and. implementing parallel programs involve effectively partitioning the problem, defining an efficient. control strategy and mapping the design to a particular system. The task then becomes one of analyzing the program for correctness and stepwise refinement of its performance. New tools are needed to assist the programmer with these last two stages. Metrics and methods of instrumentation are needed to help with behavior analysis (debugging) and performance analysis. First, current tools and analysis methods are reviewed, and then a set of models is proposed for analyzing parallel programs. The design of IPPM, based on these models, is then presented. IPPM is an interactive, parallel program monitor for the Intel iPSC. It gives a post-mortem view of an iPSC program based on a script of events collected during execution. A user can observe changes in program state and synchronization, select statistics, interactively filter events and time critical sequences.

Computer Aided Teaching System (CATSY) is an interactive menu driven system that provides an instructor/presenter with an efficient teaching tool using microcomputer technology and a large screen projection system to enhance lecture presentations. Included in this thesis are descriptions of supporting graphics software and the computer peripherals used in the development of CATSY.The development of data structures used in CATSY is stressed in this thesis, along with their application to manipulate graphics and text. This thesis is intended to support and complement the masters thesis presented by Mr. Vincent Pedraza, which presents the system overview and system applications.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Lehigh University, 2000. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-152).

Thesis (doctoral)--University of Oulu, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.