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A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Johannesburg, 2018 / Two dimensional gravity models and a few magnetic models limited to short profiles in the eastern sections of the BC have been used to propose conflicting geometries for the Rustenburg Layered Suite (RLS), especially between the western and eastern lobes; one school argued for completely separate intrusions, while the other proposed that the outcropping lobes are connected at depth. These competing models suggest different emplacement models. They provide a valuable starting point, but, 2.5D potential field modelling is not well suited to modelling complex three dimensional geology. Also, in previous work the magnetics or only the gravity data were modelled independently. Here I present the first full three dimensional potential field forward modelling of the central and southern Bushveld Complex (BC) which has been used to test the geometry of the Bushveld Complex in areas obscured by younger geological cover. Both gravity and magnetic data have been used to develop a geological model that is consistent with both data sets. Joint 3D modelling of regional gravity and magnetic data combined with published crustal thickness models derived from broadband seismic tomography studies were used to create a 3D model of the central and southeastern sections of the BC, as well as the southern part of the northern lobe. Eight downhole logs with more than 730 000 new density and magnetic susceptibility measurements from the RLS were combined with existing data to determine values for Bushveld Complex lithologies that were used in the model. The 3D model has a complex geometry with thick continuous RLS in most of the western lobe, thinner RLS in the south-eastern lobe, but a disrupted RLS in the eastern lobe. Large domes of Transvaal dolomite or thicker granites and granophyre in the eastern lobe interrupt the continuity of the RLS. The western and eastern lobes are therefore broadly connected, with major disruptions largely in the eastern lobe. However, they are not separate intrusions, but represent a single magma chamber affected by pre-existing and syn-magmatic updoming. The model includes the whole thickness of the crust and requires dense material at the crust mantle boundary. Thus, for the first time, I have imaged the remnants of magma staging chambers. The chambers, constrained by the extent of the diffuse crust-mantle transition as determined from teleseismic data, underlie the whole Bushveld Complex, but is thickest under the northern, south-eastern and western parts of the complex. I propose feeders that correlate with the chambers in the northern lobe near the large gravity high near Polokwane and in the south-eastern lobe. / MT 2019

Literature on the modeling and simulation of complex adaptive systems (cas) has primarily advanced vertically in different scientific domains with scientists developing a variety of domain-specific approaches and applications. However, while cas researchers are inherently interested in an interdisciplinary comparison of models, to the best of our knowledge, there is currently no single unified framework for facilitating the development, comparison, communication and validation of models across different scientific domains. In this thesis, we propose first steps towards such a unified framework using a combination of agent-based and complex network-based modeling approaches and guidelines formulated in the form of a set of four levels of usage, which allow multidisciplinary researchers to adopt a suitable framework level on the basis of available data types, their research study objectives and expected outcomes, thus allowing them to better plan and conduct their respective research case studies. Firstly, the complex network modeling level of the proposed framework entails the development of appropriate complex network models for the case where interaction data of cas components is available, with the aim of detecting emergent patterns in the cas under study. The exploratory agent-based modeling level of the proposed framework allows for the development of proof-of-concept models for the cas system, primarily for purposes of exploring feasibility of further research. Descriptive agent-based modeling level of the proposed framework allows for the use of a formal step-by-step approach for developing agent-based models coupled with a quantitative complex network and pseudocode-based specification of the model, which will, in turn, facilitate interdisciplinary cas model comparison and knowledge transfer. Finally, the validated agent-based modeling level of the proposed framework is concerned with the building of in-simulation verification and validation of agent-based models using a proposed Virtual Overlay Multiagent System approach for use in a systematic team-oriented approach to developing models. The proposed framework is evaluated and validated using seven detailed case study examples selected from various scientific domains including ecology, social sciences and a range of complex adaptive communication networks. The successful case studies demonstrate the potential of the framework in appealing to multidisciplinary researchers as a methodological approach to the modeling and simulation of cas by facilitating effective communication and knowledge transfer across scientific disciplines without the requirement of extensive learning curves.

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is an emerging technology that transforms legacy hardware-based network infrastructure into software-based virtualized networks. Instead of using dedicated hardware and network equipment, NFV relies on cloud and virtualization technologies to deliver network services to its users. These virtualized network services are considered better solutions than hardware-based network functions because their resources can be dynamically increased upon the consumer’s request. While their usefulness can’t be denied, they also have some security implications. In complex systems like NFV, the threats can come from a variety of domains due to it containing both the hardware and the virtualize entities in its infrastructure. Also, since it relies on software, the network service in NFV can be manipulated by external entities like third-party providers or consumers. This leads the NFV to have a larger attack surface than the traditional network infrastructure. In addition to its own threats, NFV also inherits security threats from its underlying cloud infrastructure. Therefore, to design a secure NFV system and utilize its full potential, we must have a good understanding of its underlying architecture and its possible security threats. Up until now, only imprecise models of this architecture existed. We try to improve this situation by using architectural modeling to describe and analyze the threats to NFV. Architectural modeling using Patterns and Reference Architectures (RAs) applies abstraction, which helps to reduce the complexity of NFV systems by defining their components at their highest level. The literature lacks attempts to implement this approach to analyze NFV threats. We started by enumerating the possible threats that may jeopardize the NFV system. Then, we performed an analysis of the threats to identify the possible misuses that could be performed from them. These threats are realized in the form of misuse patterns that show how an attack is performed from the point of view of attackers. Some of the most important threats are privilege escalation, virtual machine escape, and distributed denial-of-service. We used a reference architecture of NFV to determine where to add security mechanisms in order to mitigate the identified threats. This produces our ultimate goal, which is building a security reference architecture for NFV. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

<p> The analysis of stepping motors using linear models has been simplified through identifications of the constants. Though the existing nonlinear models assuming a smooth air-gap machine may, in some cases, yield a fairly close prediction of the characteristics of a stepping motor, the models do not represent the actual motors which are essentially salient-pole motors. A new salient-pole nonlinear model is introduced. The analysis of permanent-magnet stepping motors using the nonlinear models has been simplified by assuming constant current sources. Dynamic behaviors of a permanent -magnet stepping motor are shown by phase-plane plots and step by step transient response plots.</p> <p> Computer control of stepping motors in both open-loop and closed-loop is discussed. The open-loop control has been demonstrated to be successful and a closed-loop control system using light-sensors as feedback has been designed.</p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

Aplikace pro vizualizaci a modelování molekul nejsou dosud příliš poznamenány současným hardware vyvinutým pro potřeby počítačových her. Cílem projektu je navrhnout intuitivní rozhraní s novými widgety specializovanými na atomové struktury a vizualizací využívající moderní hardware grafických karet. Důležitou částí je také dosažení vysoké přesnosti modelování, obvykle dostupné pouze u profesionálních CAD programů.

A bacia de Bengala, localizada a Nordeste da Índia tem uma história evolutiva extraordinária, diretamente controlada bela fragmentação do Gondwana. O início da formação desta bacia é considerada como sendo relacionada ao final do evento da quebra, datado em 126 Ma quando a Índia separou do continente Antártico e da Austrália. Desde então, a placa continental Indiana viajou do pólo sul a uma velocidade muito rápida (16 cm/a) chocando-se com o hemisfério norte e fundindo-se com a Placa Eurasiana. Durante a viagem passou por cima de um hot spot, onde hoje estão localizadas as ilhas Seicheles, resultando em um dos maiores derrames de lava basáltica do mundo, conhecido como Deccan Trap. Na região onde a bacia de Bengala foi formada, não houve aporte significativo de sedimentos siliciclásticos, resultando na deposição de uma espessa plataforma carbonática do Cretáceo tardio ao Eoceno. Após este período, devido a colisão com algumas microplacas e a amalgamação com a Placa Eurasiana, um grande volume sedimentar siliciclástico foi introduzido para a bacia, associado também ao soerguimento da cadeia de montanhas dos Himalaias. Atualmente, a Bacia de Bengala possui mais de 25 km de sedimentos, coletados neste depocentro principal. Nesta dissertação foram aplicados conceitos básicos de sismoestratigrafia na interpretação de algumas linhas regionais. As linhas sísmicas utilizadas foram adquiridas recentemente por programa sísmico especial, o qual permitiu o imageamento sísmico a mais de 35km dentro da litosfera (crosta continental e transicional). O dado permitiu interpretar eventos tectônicos, como a presença dos Seawards Dipping Reflectors (SDR) na crosta transicional, coberto por sedimentos da Bacia de Bengala. Além da interpretação sísmica amarrada a alguns poços de controle, o programa de modelagem sedimentar Beicip Franlab Dionisos, foi utilizado para modelar a história de preenchimento da bacia para um período de 5,2 Ma. O nível relativo do nível do mar e a taxa de aporte sedimentar foram os pontos chaves considerados no modelo. Através da utilização dos dados sísmicos, foi possível reconhecer dez quebras de plataformas principais, as quais foram utilizadas no modelo, amarrados aos seus respectivos tempos geológico, provenientes dos dados dos poços do Plioceno ao Holoceno. O resultado do modelo mostrou que a primeira metade modelada pode ser considerada como um sistema deposicional retrogradacional, com algum picos transgressivos. Este sistema muda drasticamente para um sistema progradacional, o qual atuou até o Holoceno. A seção modelada também mostra que no período considerado o total de volume depositado foi em torno de 2,1 x 106 km3, equivalente a 9,41 x 1014 km3/Ma. / The Bengal Basin in Northeast India has a remarkable evolution history directly controled by the Gondwana fragmentation. The Beginning of this basin is considered related to the final break up event, dated as 126 Ma when India finally became separeted from Antarctica and Australia Continents. Since then, the India Continental Plate traveled from the South pole at very fast rate (16 cm/y) reaching the nortern hemisphere and merging with Eurasia Plate. During the travel it passed over a hot spot, located where is today Seychelles Island, resulting in one of the biggest basalt leakage, know as Deccan Trap. In the area where the Bengal Basin was formed during the travel there wasnt any supply of siliciclastics, resulting in the deposition of a very thick section of carbonate platforms from Late Cretaceous to Eocene. After this period, due to the collision with same microplates and the amalgamation with Eurasia Plate a huge siliciclastic supply was introduced in the basin, associated with rising of the Himalayas Mountains. Therefore, the Belgal Basin today has more than 25 km of sediments, collected in its main depocenter. In this dissertation it was applied to the basic concepts of seismostratigraphy in the interpretation of some regional lines. These seismic lines were acquired recently by a special survey program that allowed having good quality data until more than 35 km in the lithosphere (continental and transitional crust). The data permitted to interpret tectonic events such as the presence of Seawards Dipping Reflectors (SDR) in the transitional crust, covered by the Bengal Basin sediments. Besides the seismic interpretation tied to some well data, it was used in the dissertation a Beicip Franlab Software, known as Dionisos, to model and develop a basin fill history. The eustatic relative sea level flutuations and sediment rate of sediment influx are the key points to be considered in the model. Using the seismic data it was possible to recognize ten main platform breakes than were used in the model, tied to a geological time frame provided by the well data interpretation, from Pliocene to Holocene. The output of the model shown that a first half of the considered time predominated a major retrogradational system, with some minor trangression peaks. This changed to a very strong progradational system that is acting until the Holocene. The section modeled also shows a total of sediments deposited in the period considered was about 2,1 x106 km3 equivalent to a 9,41 x 1014 km3/Ma.

A bacia de Bengala, localizada a Nordeste da Índia tem uma história evolutiva extraordinária, diretamente controlada bela fragmentação do Gondwana. O início da formação desta bacia é considerada como sendo relacionada ao final do evento da quebra, datado em 126 Ma quando a Índia separou do continente Antártico e da Austrália. Desde então, a placa continental Indiana viajou do pólo sul a uma velocidade muito rápida (16 cm/a) chocando-se com o hemisfério norte e fundindo-se com a Placa Eurasiana. Durante a viagem passou por cima de um hot spot, onde hoje estão localizadas as ilhas Seicheles, resultando em um dos maiores derrames de lava basáltica do mundo, conhecido como Deccan Trap. Na região onde a bacia de Bengala foi formada, não houve aporte significativo de sedimentos siliciclásticos, resultando na deposição de uma espessa plataforma carbonática do Cretáceo tardio ao Eoceno. Após este período, devido a colisão com algumas microplacas e a amalgamação com a Placa Eurasiana, um grande volume sedimentar siliciclástico foi introduzido para a bacia, associado também ao soerguimento da cadeia de montanhas dos Himalaias. Atualmente, a Bacia de Bengala possui mais de 25 km de sedimentos, coletados neste depocentro principal. Nesta dissertação foram aplicados conceitos básicos de sismoestratigrafia na interpretação de algumas linhas regionais. As linhas sísmicas utilizadas foram adquiridas recentemente por programa sísmico especial, o qual permitiu o imageamento sísmico a mais de 35km dentro da litosfera (crosta continental e transicional). O dado permitiu interpretar eventos tectônicos, como a presença dos Seawards Dipping Reflectors (SDR) na crosta transicional, coberto por sedimentos da Bacia de Bengala. Além da interpretação sísmica amarrada a alguns poços de controle, o programa de modelagem sedimentar Beicip Franlab Dionisos, foi utilizado para modelar a história de preenchimento da bacia para um período de 5,2 Ma. O nível relativo do nível do mar e a taxa de aporte sedimentar foram os pontos chaves considerados no modelo. Através da utilização dos dados sísmicos, foi possível reconhecer dez quebras de plataformas principais, as quais foram utilizadas no modelo, amarrados aos seus respectivos tempos geológico, provenientes dos dados dos poços do Plioceno ao Holoceno. O resultado do modelo mostrou que a primeira metade modelada pode ser considerada como um sistema deposicional retrogradacional, com algum picos transgressivos. Este sistema muda drasticamente para um sistema progradacional, o qual atuou até o Holoceno. A seção modelada também mostra que no período considerado o total de volume depositado foi em torno de 2,1 x 106 km3, equivalente a 9,41 x 1014 km3/Ma. / The Bengal Basin in Northeast India has a remarkable evolution history directly controled by the Gondwana fragmentation. The Beginning of this basin is considered related to the final break up event, dated as 126 Ma when India finally became separeted from Antarctica and Australia Continents. Since then, the India Continental Plate traveled from the South pole at very fast rate (16 cm/y) reaching the nortern hemisphere and merging with Eurasia Plate. During the travel it passed over a hot spot, located where is today Seychelles Island, resulting in one of the biggest basalt leakage, know as Deccan Trap. In the area where the Bengal Basin was formed during the travel there wasnt any supply of siliciclastics, resulting in the deposition of a very thick section of carbonate platforms from Late Cretaceous to Eocene. After this period, due to the collision with same microplates and the amalgamation with Eurasia Plate a huge siliciclastic supply was introduced in the basin, associated with rising of the Himalayas Mountains. Therefore, the Belgal Basin today has more than 25 km of sediments, collected in its main depocenter. In this dissertation it was applied to the basic concepts of seismostratigraphy in the interpretation of some regional lines. These seismic lines were acquired recently by a special survey program that allowed having good quality data until more than 35 km in the lithosphere (continental and transitional crust). The data permitted to interpret tectonic events such as the presence of Seawards Dipping Reflectors (SDR) in the transitional crust, covered by the Bengal Basin sediments. Besides the seismic interpretation tied to some well data, it was used in the dissertation a Beicip Franlab Software, known as Dionisos, to model and develop a basin fill history. The eustatic relative sea level flutuations and sediment rate of sediment influx are the key points to be considered in the model. Using the seismic data it was possible to recognize ten main platform breakes than were used in the model, tied to a geological time frame provided by the well data interpretation, from Pliocene to Holocene. The output of the model shown that a first half of the considered time predominated a major retrogradational system, with some minor trangression peaks. This changed to a very strong progradational system that is acting until the Holocene. The section modeled also shows a total of sediments deposited in the period considered was about 2,1 x106 km3 equivalent to a 9,41 x 1014 km3/Ma.

Agent-based simulation models are an important tool to study the effectiveness of policy interventions on the uptake of residential photovoltaic systems by households, a cornerstone of sustainable energy system transition. In order for these models to be trustworthy, they require rigorous validation. However, the canonical approach of validating emulation models through calibration with parameters that minimize the difference of model results and reference data fails when the model is subject to many stochastic influences. The residential photovoltaic diffusion model PVact features numerous stochastic influences that prevent straightforward optimization-driven calibration. From the analysis of the results of a case-study on the cities Dresden and Leipzig (Germany) based on three error metrics (mean average error, root mean square error and cumulative average error), this research identifies a parameter range where stochastic fluctuations exceed differences between results of different parameterization and a minimization-based calibration approach fails. Based on this observation, an approach is developed that aggregates model behavior across multiple simulation runs and parameter combinations to compare results between scenarios representing different future developments or policy interventions of interest.

The subject of this thesis is the generation of spatial temporal structures in living cells. Specifically, we studied the Min-system in the bacterium Escherichia coli. It consists of the MinC, the MinD, and the MinE proteins, which play an important role in the correct selection of the cell division site. The Min-proteins oscillate between the two cell poles and thereby prevent division at these locations. In this way, E. coli divides at the center, producing two daughter cells of equal size, providing them with the complete genetic patrimony. Our goal is to perform a quantitative study, both theoretical and experimental, in order to reveal the mechanism underlying the Min-oscillations. Experimentally, we characterize theMin-system, measuring the temporal period of the oscillations as a function of the cell length, the time-averaged protein distributions, and the in vivo Min-protein mobility by means of different fluorescence microscopy techniques. Theoretically, we discuss a deterministic description based on the exchange of Minproteins between the cytoplasm and the cytoplasmic membrane and on the aggregation current induced by the interaction between membrane-bound proteins. Oscillatory solutions appear via a dynamic instability of the homogenous protein distributions. Moreover, we perform stochastic simulations based on a microscopic description, whereby the probability for each event is calculated according to the corresponding probability in the master equation. Starting from this microscopic description, we derive Langevin equations for the fluctuating protein densities which correspond to the deterministic equations in the limit of vanishing noise. Stochastic simulations justify this deterministic model, showing that oscillations are resistant to the perturbations induced by the stochastic reactions and diffusion. Predictions and assumptions of our theoretical model are compatible with our experimental findings. Altogether, these results enable us to propose further experiments in order to quantitatively compare the different models proposed so far and to test our model with even higher precision. They also point to the necessity of performing such an analysis through single cell measurements.