Analysing the Performance of NoSQL vs SQL Databases with Respect to Routing Algorithms

With the increased shift towards GeoSpatial Web Services on both the Web and mobile platforms especially in the usercentric services, there is a need to improve the query response time. The traditional routing algorithm requires server to process the query and send the results to a client but here we are focussing on query processing within the client itself. This paper attempts to evaluate the performance of an existing NoSQL database and SQL database with respect to routing algorithm and evaluate whether or not we can deploy the computations on the client system only. While SQL databases face the challenges of scalability and agility and are unable to take the advantage of the abundant memory and processing power available these days, NoSQL databases are able to use some of these features to their advantage. The nonrelational databases are more suited for handling the dynamic rise in the data storage and the increased frequency of data accessibility. For this comparative study, MongoDB is the NoSQL engine while the PostgreSQL is the chosen SQL engine. The dataset is a synthetic dataset of road network with several nodes and we find the distance between source and destination using various algorithms. As a part of paper The implementation we are planning on using pgRouting for the analysis which currently uses PostgreSQL at the backend and implements almost all the routing algorithms essential in practical scenarios. We have currently analyzed the performance of NoSQL databases for various spatial queries and have extended that work to routing. Initial results suggest that MongoDB performs faster by an average factor of 15x which increases exponentially as the path length and network data size increases in both indexed and nonindexed operations. This implies that nonrelational databases are more suited to the multiuser query systems and has the potential to be implemented in servers with limited computational power. Further studies are required to identify its appropriateness and incorporate a range of spatial algorithms within nonrelational databases

Performance Analysis of MongoDB Vs. PostGIS/PostGreSQL Databases For Line Intersection and Point Containment Spatial Queries

Relational databases have been around for a long time and Spatial databases have exploited this feature for close to two decades. The recent past has seen the development of NoSQL non-relational databases, which are now being adopted for spatial object storage and handling too. And this is gaining ground in the context of increased shift towards GeoSpatial Web Services on both the Web and mobile platforms especially in the usercentric services, where there is a need to improve the query response time. While SQL databases face scalability and agility challenges and fail to take the advantage of the cheap memory and processing power available these days, NoSQL databases can handle the rise in the data storage and frequency at which it is accessed and processed - which are essential features needed in geospatial scenarios, which do not deal with a fixed schema(geometry) and fixed data size. This paper attempts to evaluate the performance of an existing NoSQL database \u27MongoDB\u27 with its inbuilt spatial functions with that of a SQL database with spatial extension \u27PostGIS\u27 for two primitive spatial problems - LineIntersection and Point Containment problem, across a range of datasets, with varying features counts. For LineIntersection function, the dataset consisted of two independent layers of horizontal lines and vertical lines with incremental lengths and their size varied from ten lines to million lines in each layer and another dataset with two layers, one of random lines of variable size and shape and another layer of a single line which is intersecting many lines of layer1. For Point Containment problem, the dataset consists of two layers, one of polygons in space of different shape and size and another layer of random points in the space, some inside the polygons and some outside. All the data in the analysis was processed In-memory and no secondary memory was used. Initial results suggest that MongoDB performs better by an average factor of 25x for Line Intersection Problem and 10x for Point Containment Problem which increases exponentially as the data size increases in both indexed and nonindexed operations. Given these results NoSQL databases may be better suited for simultaneous multiple-user query systems including Web-GIS and mobile-GIS. Further studies are required to understand the full potential of NoSQL databases across various geometries and spatial query types

Analyzing the performance of NoSQL vs. SQL databases for Spatial and Aggregate queries

Relational databases have been around for a long time and spatial databases have exploited this feature for close to two decades. The recent past has seen the development of NoSQL non-relational databases, which are now being adopted for spatial object storage and handling, too. While SQL databases face scalability and agility challenges and fail to take the advantage of the cheap memory and processing power available these days, NoSQL databases can handle the rise in the data storage and frequency at which it is accessed and processed - which are essential features needed in geospatial scenarios, which do not deal with a fixed schema(geometry) and fixed data size. This paper attempts to evaluate the performance of an existing NoSQL database \u27MongoDB\u27 with its inbuilt spatial functions with that of a SQL database with spatial extension \u27PostGIS\u27 for two problems – spatial and aggregate queries, across a range of datasets, with varying features counts. All the data in the analysis was processed In-memory and no secondary memory was used. Initial results suggest that MongoDB performs better by an average factor of 10x-25x which increases exponentially as the data size increases in both indexed and non-indexed operations. Given these results, NoSQL databases may be better suited for simultaneous multiple-user query systems including Web-GIS and mobile-GIS. Further studies are required to understand the full potential of NoSQL databases across various geometries and spatial query types

Numerical investigation of micro-channel based active module cooling for solar CPV system

PublishedConference Proceeding4th International Conference on Advances in Energy Research 2013, ICAER 2013Concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology is one of the fastest growing solar energy technologies achieving higher electrical conversion efficiencies. The increase in temperature of solar CPV cell significantly reduces the performance; the efficiency of a CPV system can be improved by introducing effective thermal management or cooling system. This paper presents the design and numerical analysis of a heat sink based on micro-channels for efficient cooling of a commercial high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) cell. A combinatory model of an array of micro-channels enclosed in a wide parallel flow channel design is developed. The optimized geometry of the micro-channel heat sink was found by using commercial CFD software ANSYS 13. Based on numerical simulations, it is found that the optimum configuration of micro-channel with 0.5mm width and aspect ratio of 8. The micro-channels provided high heat transfer over heat generations spots and parallel flow channels resulted in lower pressure drop. The temperature rise across the micro-channel is estimated as10K in CPV module of 120 × 120 mm2 and with a pressure drop of 8.5 kPa along a single channel with six such channels in each modules at a flow rate of 0.105 liter/s. © 2014 The Authors

Terahertz underdamped vibrational motion governs protein-ligand binding in solution

Low-frequency collective vibrational modes in proteins have been proposed as being responsible for efficiently directing biochemical reactions and biological energy transport. However, evidence of the existence of delocalized vibrational modes is scarce and proof of their involvement in biological function absent. Here we apply extremely sensitive femtosecond optical Kerr-effect spectroscopy to study the depolarized Raman spectra of lysozyme and its complex with the inhibitor triacetylchitotriose in solution. Underdamped delocalized vibrational modes in the terahertz frequency domain are identified and shown to blue-shift and strengthen upon inhibitor binding. This demonstrates that the ligand-binding coordinate in proteins is underdamped and not simply solvent-controlled as previously assumed. The presence of such underdamped delocalized modes in proteins may have significant implications for the understanding of the efficiency of ligand binding and protein–molecule interactions, and has wider implications for biochemical reactivity and biological function

Intervention planning and modification of the BUMP intervention: a digital intervention for the early detection of raised blood pressure in pregnancy

Background: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, particularly pre-eclampsia, pose a substantial health risk for both maternal and foetal outcomes. The BUMP (Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring in Pregnancy) interventions are being tested in a trial. They aim to facilitate the early detection of raised blood pressure through self-monitoring. This article outlines how the self-monitoring interventions in the BUMP trial were developed and modified using the person-based approach to promote engagement and adherence. Methods: Key behavioural challenges associated with blood pressure self-monitoring in pregnancy were identified through synthesising qualitative pilot data and existing evidence, which informed guiding principles for the development process. Social cognitive theory was identified as an appropriate theoretical framework. A testable logic model was developed to illustrate the hypothesised processes of change associated with the intervention. Iterative qualitative feedback from women and staff informed modifications to the participant materials. Results: The evidence synthesis suggested women face challenges integrating self-monitoring into their lives and that adherence is challenging at certain time points in pregnancy (for example, starting maternity leave). Intervention modification included strategies to address adherence but also focussed on modifying outcome expectancies, by providing messages explaining pre-eclampsia and outlining the potential benefits of self-monitoring. Conclusions: With an in-depth understanding of the target population, several methods and approaches to plan and develop interventions specifically relevant to pregnant women were successfully integrated, to address barriers to behaviour change while ensuring they are easy to engage with, persuasive and acceptable

Does rapid urbanization aggravate health disparities? Reflections on the epidemiological transition in Pune, India

Background: Rapid urbanization in low- and middle-income countries reinforces risk and epidemiological transition in urban societies, which are characterized by high socioeconomic gradients. Limited availability of disaggregated morbidity data in these settings impedes research on epidemiological profiles of different population subgroups. Objective: The study aimed to analyze the epidemiological transition in the emerging megacity of Pune with respect to changing morbidity and mortality patterns, also taking into consideration health disparities among different socioeconomic groups. Design: A mixed-methods approach was used, comprising secondary analysis of mortality data, a survey among 900 households in six neighborhoods with different socioeconomic profiles, 46 in-depth interviews with laypeople, and expert interviews with 37 health care providers and 22 other health care workers. Results: The mortality data account for an epidemiological transition with an increasing number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Pune. The share of deaths due to infectious and parasitic diseases remained nearly constant, though the cause of deaths changed considerably within this group. The survey data and expert interviews indicated a slightly higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among higher socioeconomic groups, but a higher incidence and more frequent complications and comorbidities in lower socioeconomic groups. Although the self-reported morbidity for malaria, gastroenteritis, and tuberculosis did not show a socioeconomic pattern, experts estimated the prevalence in lower socioeconomic groups to be higher, though all groups in Pune would be affected. Conclusions: The rising burden of NCDs among all socioeconomic groups and the concurrent persistence of communicable diseases pose a major challenge for public health. Improvement of urban health requires a stronger focus on health promotion and disease prevention for all socioeconomic groups with a holistic understanding of urban health. In order to derive evidence-based solutions and interventions, routine surveillance data become indispensable

Patients' opinion on the barriers to diabetes control in areas of conflicts: The Iraqi example

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The health system in Iraq has undergone progressive decline since the embargo that followed the second gulf war in 1991. The aim of this study is to see barriers to glycemic control form the patient perspective, in a diabetic clinic in the south of Iraq.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross sectional study from the diabetes out-patient clinic in Al-Faiha general hospital in Basrah, South Iraq for the period from January to December 2007. The study includes diabetic patients whether type 1 or 2 if they have at least one year of follow up in the same clinic. Those with A1C ≥ 7% were interviewed by special questionnaire, that was filled in by the medical staff of the clinic. The subjects analyzed in this study were adults (≥ 18 years old) with previously diagnosed diabetes (n = 3522). The duration of diabetes range from 1 to 30 years.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean A1C was 8.4 ± 2 percent, with 835(23.7%) patients with A1C less than 7% and 2688(76.3%) equal to or more than 7%. Of 3522 studied patients, 46.6% were men and 51.5% were women, with mean age of 53.78 ± 12.81 year and age range 18–97 years. Patient opinion for not achieving good glycemic control among 2688 patients with HbA1C ≥ 7% included the following. No drug supply from primary health care center (PHC) or drug shortage is a cause in 50.8% of cases, while drugs and or laboratory expense were the cause in 50.2%. Thirty point seven percent of patients said that they were unaware of diabetics complications and 20.9% think that diabetes is an untreatable disease. Thirty percent think that non-control of their diabetes is due to migration after the war. No electricity or erratic electricity, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is not available, or strips were not available or could not be used, and illiteracy as a cause was seen in 15%, 10.8% and 9.9% respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our patients with diabetes mellitus declared that of the causes for poor glycemic control most of them related to the current health situation in Iraq.</p

What do we know about chronic kidney disease in India: first report of the Indian CKD registry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are no national data on the magnitude and pattern of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in India. The Indian CKD Registry documents the demographics, etiological spectrum, practice patterns, variations and special characteristics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data was collected for this cross-sectional study in a standardized format according to predetermined criteria. Of the 52,273 adult patients, 35.5%, 27.9%, 25.6% and 11% patients came from South, North, West and East zones respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age was 50.1 ± 14.6 years, with M:F ratio of 70:30. Patients from North Zone were younger and those from the East Zone older. Diabetic nephropathy was the commonest cause (31%), followed by CKD of undetermined etiology (16%), chronic glomerulonephritis (14%) and hypertensive nephrosclerosis (13%). About 48% cases presented in Stage V; they were younger than those in Stages III-IV. Diabetic nephropathy patients were older, more likely to present in earlier stages of CKD and had a higher frequency of males; whereas those with CKD of unexplained etiology were younger, had more females and more frequently presented in Stage V. Patients in lower income groups had more advanced CKD at presentation. Patients presenting to public sector hospitals were poorer, younger, and more frequently had CKD of unknown etiology.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This report confirms the emergence of diabetic nephropathy as the pre-eminent cause in India. Patients with CKD of unknown etiology are younger, poorer and more likely to present with advanced CKD. There were some geographic variations.</p