The field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a dynamically reconfigurable digital logic chip used to implement custom hardware. The large densities of modern FPGAs and the capability of the on-thely reconfiguration has made the FPGA a viable alternative to fixed logic hardware chips such as the ASIC. In high-performance computing, FPGAs are used as co-processors to speed up computationally intensive processes or as autonomous systems that realize a complete hardware application. However, due to the limited capacity of FPGA logic resources, denser FPGAs must be purchased if more logic resources are required to realize all the functions of a complex application. Alternatively, partial reconfiguration (PR) can be used to swap, on demand, idle components of the application with active components. This research uses PR to swap components to improve the performance of the application given the limited logic resources available with smaller but economical FPGAs. The swap is called ”resource sharing PR”. In a pipelined design of multiple hardware modules (pipeline stages), resource sharing PR is a technique that uses PR to improve the performance of pipeline bottlenecks. This is done by reconfiguring other pipeline stages, typically those that are idle waiting for data from a bottleneck, into an additional parallel bottleneck module. The target pipeline of this research is a two-stage “slow-toast” pipeline where the flow of data traversing the pipeline transitions from a relatively slow, bottleneck stage to a fast stage. A two stage pipeline that combines FPGA-based hardware implementations of well-known Bioinformatics search algorithms, the X! Tandem algorithm and the Smith-Waterman algorithm, is implemented for this research; the implemented pipeline demonstrates that characteristics of these algorithm. The experimental results show that, in a database of unknown peptide spectra, when matching spectra with 388 peaks or greater, performing resource sharing PR to instantiate a parallel X! Tandem module is worth the cost for PR. In addition, from timings gathered during experiments, a general formula was derived for determining the value of performing PR upon a fast module.

A well formed embouchure and a good tone quality are vital for any flutist. This study is a detailed guide that includes general information, influences and perspectives on/about embouchure and tone for the flutist. Information is provided on how to form a proper embouchure, the relation between embouchure and tone, the purpose of the embouchure and the role of different body parts in a) forming a proper embouchure and b) manipulating the embouchure whilst playing. The anatomy of the human body and its relation to embouchure and tone is discussed. Pictures of the different muscles involved in flute playing, muscles of expression and the anatomy of body parts that influence embouchure and tone, are presented. Flute teachers‟, performers‟ and students‟ perspectives on aspects relating to embouchure and tone, are provided. Diseases, medical conditions, medicine, physical attributes and infections that can influence embouchure and tone are investigated. A discussion of the influences that flute options have on embouchure and tone is included. These options include open- or closed-hole, B or C footjoint, materials, wall thickness, split E or E ring, open- or closed-G#, pads, headjoint design and flute scales. There is also a short discussion about embouchure on big flutes. AFRIKAANS : 'n Goed gevormde embouchure en „n goeie klankkwaliteit is van kardinale belang vir enige fluitspeler. Die studie is „n gedetaileerde gids, en bevat algemene inligting, invloede en perspektiewe op/oor embouchure en klank, vir die fluitspeler. Informasie oor hoe om 'n goeie embouchure te vorm, die verband tussen embouchure en klank, die doel van die embouchure sowel as die rol wat verskillende liggaamsdele speel in a) die vorming van die embouchure en b) die gebruik van die embouchure tydens spel, word voorsien. Die anatomie van die menslike liggaam wat verband hou met embouchure en klank, word bespreek. Prente van verskillende spiere betrokke tydens fluitspel, spiere van ekspressie en die anatomie van die liggaamsdele wat 'n invloed het op embouchure en klank, word voorgestel. Fluit onderwysers, voordraers en studente se perspektiewe rondom aspekte wat verband hou met embouchure en klank, word voorsien. Siektes, mediese toestande, medisyne, fisiese eienskappe en infeksies wat embouchure en klank kan beïnvloed, word ondersoek. 'n Bespreking van die invloede wat fluitopsies op embouchure en klank het, is ingesluit. Hierdie opsies sluit in oop- of geslote-opening, B of C voetstuk, materiale, buis dikte, gesplete E of E ring, oop- of geslote-G#, kussings, kopstuk ontwerp en fluittoonlere. 'n Kort bespreking in verband met embouchure op groot fluite word ook ingesluit. / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Music / unrestricted