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  • © 2013

The Local Information Dynamics of Distributed Computation in Complex Systems

Authors:

  • Nominated as an outstanding PhD thesis from the University of Sydney
  • This thesis develops the first complete framework to quantify the information dynamics of distributed computation, with possible application to biological and bio-inspired systems
  • Unique in blending theoretical contributions (e.g. fundamental insights into computation in cellular automata) with practical results (e.g. in computational neuroscience)
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Springer Theses (Springer Theses)

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxiii
  2. Introduction

    • Joseph T. Lizier
    Pages 1-11
  3. Computation in Complex Systems

    • Joseph T. Lizier
    Pages 13-52
  4. Information Storage

    • Joseph T. Lizier
    Pages 53-77
  5. Information Transfer

    • Joseph T. Lizier
    Pages 79-115
  6. Information Modification

    • Joseph T. Lizier
    Pages 117-140
  7. Conclusion

    • Joseph T. Lizier
    Pages 203-211
  8. Back Matter

    Pages 213-235

About this book

The nature of distributed computation in complex systems has often been described in terms of memory, communication and processing. This thesis presents a complete information-theoretic framework to quantify these operations on information (i.e. information storage, transfer and modification), and in particular their dynamics in space and time. The framework is applied to cellular automata, and delivers important insights into the fundamental nature of distributed computation and the dynamics of complex systems (e.g. that gliders are dominant information transfer agents). Applications to several important network models, including random Boolean networks, suggest that the capability for information storage and coherent transfer are maximised near the critical regime in certain order-chaos phase transitions. Further applications to study and design information structure in the contexts of computational neuroscience and guided self-organisation underline the practical utility of the techniques presented here.

Authors and Affiliations

  • CSIRO ICT Centre, Marsfield, Australia

    Joseph T. Lizier

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: The Local Information Dynamics of Distributed Computation in Complex Systems

  • Authors: Joseph T. Lizier

  • Series Title: Springer Theses

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32952-4

  • Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Engineering, Engineering (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-642-32951-7Published: 06 November 2012

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-642-43819-6Published: 14 December 2014

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-642-32952-4Published: 06 November 2012

  • Series ISSN: 2190-5053

  • Series E-ISSN: 2190-5061

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XXIV, 236

  • Topics: Complexity, Coding and Information Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology/Bioinformatics

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access