\title{A Dataflow-Based Software Integration Model in Parallel and Distributed
Computing and Applications}
\author{Gang Cheng}
\dept{the School of Computer and Information Science}
\previousdegrees{B.S., Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1983, China \\ 
	M.S., Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1988, China}
\degreelevel{Doctor of Philosophy}
%\typeofthesis{Abstract}
\typeofthesis{Dissertation}
\submitdate{December 1996}
% Put the abstract in, say, file abstract.tex (which is the default filename)
\typeofabstract{Abstract of Dissertation}
\abstractfile{abstract}

\beforepreface

\prefacetop

%\prefacesection{Preface}
%

\prefacesection{Acknowledgements}
%\include{acknowledge.tex}

I am grateful to Prof. Geoffrey Fox for his continuous support as my academic
advisor and NPAC director throughout this work. This thesis would not have been possible
without his generosity 
in allowing me to continue my thesis work while working at NPAC.

I would like to thank Dr.~Marek~Podgorny for introducing me to parallel
RDBMS and for many useful discussions, and Dr.~Kim~Mills for being the first to give
me an opportunity to work in parallel applications.

Thanks to my colleagues, Dr.~Yinhua~Lu, Mr.~Jay Mortensen, Dr.~Ken~Hawick, and Dr.~Shennon~Shen 
for help on the computational electromagnetics
projects, to Piotr~Sokolowski for help on the Web search project, to Dr.~Wojtek~Furmanski 
for his idea of WWWVM and WebFlow, and to Dr.~Nancy~McCracken for 
valuable advice and useful discussions. I am also indebted to NPAC for providing
me with excellent computer infrastructure and systems support for this work.

I especially want to thank my uncle, John~Wu, who partially sponsored my entering the 
United States. Without his faithful support I would not have been able to pursue a higher academic
degree. I also thank Dr. Ann Shelly and Dr. Ernie Sibert, who
assisted me in obtaining the precious initial scholarship
from the University, and my friends, Dr.~Xiangdong~Yu, Dr.~Xin~Yi, Ms.~Fang~Fang,
and Dr.~Kang~Cheng for their spiritual and moral support.

Special thanks to Ms. Elaine Weinman for
editorial assistance. Finally, my greatest thanks go to my lovely wife, Yang Meng, for
her patience, understanding, and sacrifice.


\afterpreface

