A unified view of data-intensive flows in business intelligence systems : a survey

Data-intensive flows are central processes in today’s business intelligence (BI) systems, deploying different technologies to deliver data, from a multitude of data sources, in user-preferred and analysis-ready formats. To meet complex requirements of next generation BI systems, we often need an effective combination of the traditionally batched extract-transform-load (ETL) processes that populate a data warehouse (DW) from integrated data sources, and more real-time and operational data flows that integrate source data at runtime. Both academia and industry thus must have a clear understanding of the foundations of data-intensive flows and the challenges of moving towards next generation BI environments. In this paper we present a survey of today’s research on data-intensive flows and the related fundamental fields of database theory. The study is based on a proposed set of dimensions describing the important challenges of data-intensive flows in the next generation BI setting. As a result of this survey, we envision an architecture of a system for managing the lifecycle of data-intensive flows. The results further provide a comprehensive understanding of data-intensive flows, recognizing challenges that still are to be addressed, and how the current solutions can be applied for addressing these challenges.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

A Comparison of Anthropometric and Maximal Strength Measures in Rugby Union Players

To examine differences in body composition and maximal strength between collegiate (CLG) and men\u27s club (CLB) rugby union players, as well as between the forward (FW) and back (BK) positions, seventeen resistance-trained men (24 ± 2.4 yrs; range: 20 ± 27 yrs; 179.3 ± 5.4 cm; 93.7 ± 12.9kg) from a collegiate rugby team (n=11) and a local men\u27s rugby club (n=6) were recruited to participate in the present investigation. Prior to strength testing, height (± 0.1 cm), body mass (± 0.1 kg), and body composition via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry were assessed to determine total percent body fat (%FAT), lean body mass (LBM), lean arm mass (LAM), and lean leg mass (LLM). Maximal upper- and lower-body strength were determined from each participant\u27s one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press and squat, respectively. Additionally, athletic history, resistance training experience, and distractors (e.g. work, school, and sleep) were determined via questionnaire. Significant (p\u3c0.05) differences were observed between clubs in age (CLG: 22.3 ± 1.3y; CLB: 26.2 ± 1.1y), years played (CLG: 2.9 ± 2.4y; CLB: 7.5 ± 2.1y), and starting experience (CLG: 1.7 ± 2.6y; CLB: 5.2 ± 3.4y). In terms of position, LAM was significantly (p = 0.037) greater in FW (10.6 ± 1.7kg) than in BK (9.0 ± 0.5kg). These findings suggest rugby union players possess similar strength and size characteristics, regardless of age, playing experience, or position

Junior Recital

List of performers and performances

POIESIS: A tool for quality-aware ETL process redesign

We present a tool, called POIESIS, for automatic ETL process enhancement. ETL processes are essential data-centric activities in modern business intelligence environments and they need to be examined through a viewpoint that concerns their quality characteristics (e.g., data quality, performance, manageability) in the era of Big Data. POIESIS responds to this need by providing a user-centered environment for quality-aware analysis and redesign of ETL flows. It generates thousands of alternative flows by adding flow patterns to the initial flow, in varying positions and combinations, thus creating alternative design options in a multidimensional space of different quality attributes. Through the demonstration of POIESIS we introduce the tool's capabilities and highlight its efficiency, usability and modifiability, thanks to its polymorphic design. © 2015, Copyright is with the authors.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Análisis de la implicación de la diversidad de actores en el Plan Integral del Polígono Sur: una mirada sistémica e integrada = Analysis of the involvement of the diversity of actors in the Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan of the Polígono Sur: a systemic and integrated approach)

En el contexto urbano actual, caracterizado por la manifestación de más y nuevas desigualdades urbanas, sería bueno revisar cómo se está abordando la situación compleja de los barrios más desfavorecidos y analizar la implicación de la diversidad de actores desde un enfoque sistémico e integrado. Ante este reto, se propone avanzar métodos e instrumentos para el análisis de procesos que tengan en cuenta las múltiples dimensiones, agentes y escalas, integrando el análisis del nivel y las formas de participación de la diversidad de actores. Para ello, se toma de referencia el proceso de transformación impulsado por el Plan Integral del Polígono Sur en Sevilla. En concreto, la evaluación se realiza en un momento de inflexión debido al cambio en la dirección del ente de gestión, que permite reconocer el desarrollo y los posibles cambios a lo largo de la primera fase y reorientar la nueva. Como resultado, el desarrollo y aplicación de este método centrado en la lógica de las relaciones y formas de organización, facilita la identificación de aquellas relaciones estratégicas que potencian las opciones de cambio, que será de gran interés para el diseño, seguimiento y evaluación de nuevos procesos de desarrollo local de áreas urbanas desfavorecidas

NOSQL design for analytical workloads: Variability matters

Big Data has recently gained popularity and has strongly questioned relational databases as universal storage systems, especially in the presence of analytical workloads. As result, co-relational alternatives, commonly known as NOSQL (Not Only SQL) databases, are extensively used for Big Data. As the primary focus of NOSQL is on performance, NOSQL databases are directly designed at the physical level, and consequently the resulting schema is tailored to the dataset and access patterns of the problem in hand. However, we believe that NOSQL design can also benefit from traditional design approaches. In this paper we present a method to design databases for analytical workloads. Starting from the conceptual model and adopting the classical 3-phase design used for relational databases, we propose a novel design method considering the new features brought by NOSQL and encompassing relational and co-relational design altogether.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

H-word: Supporting job scheduling in Hadoop with workload-driven data redistribution

The final publication is available at http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-44039-2_21Today’s distributed data processing systems typically follow a query shipping approach and exploit data locality for reducing network traffic. In such systems the distribution of data over the cluster resources plays a significant role, and when skewed, it can harm the performance of executing applications. In this paper, we addressthe challenges of automatically adapting the distribution of data in a cluster to the workload imposed by the input applications. We propose a generic algorithm, named H-WorD, which, based on the estimated workload over resources, suggests alternative execution scenarios of tasks, and hence identifies required transfers of input data a priori, for timely bringing data close to the execution. We exemplify our algorithm in the context of MapReduce jobs in a Hadoop ecosystem. Finally, we evaluate our approach and demonstrate the performance gains of automatic data redistribution.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Data generator for evaluating ETL process quality

Obtaining the right set of data for evaluating the fulfillment of different quality factors in the extract-transform-load (ETL) process design is rather challenging. First, the real data might be out of reach due to different privacy constraints, while manually providing a synthetic set of data is known as a labor-intensive task that needs to take various combinations of process parameters into account. More importantly, having a single dataset usually does not represent the evolution of data throughout the complete process lifespan, hence missing the plethora of possible test cases. To facilitate such demanding task, in this paper we propose an automatic data generator (i.e., Bijoux). Starting from a given ETL process model, Bijoux extracts the semantics of data transformations, analyzes the constraints they imply over input data, and automatically generates testing datasets. Bijoux is highly modular and configurable to enable end-users to generate datasets for a variety of interesting test scenarios (e.g., evaluating specific parts of an input ETL process design, with different input dataset sizes, different distributions of data, and different operation selectivities). We have developed a running prototype that implements the functionality of our data generation framework and here we report our experimental findings showing the effectiveness and scalability of our approach.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Herramienta para el análisis de estrategias de intervención urbana inclusivas e integradas

Este comunicado persigue avanzar el debate sobre c ómo intervenir en la ciudad consolidada, y en particular, en los barrios más desfavorecidos, cuestionando el valor del enfoque centra do en áreas delimitadas, cada vez más aceptado en las estrategias de intervención urbana . Este enfoque presenta evidentes limitaciones a la hora de abordar las causas reales de la situación de desventaja, vulnerabilidad, aislamiento y degradación persisten te, de magnitud multidimensional y multiescalar , que caracteriza a estas comunidades . En este sentido, se propone una metodología y una herramienta de análisis, basada en la interpretación relacional del espacio, que considera todas las dimensiones y escalas y su tras cendencia a nivel local y supra local. Para comprobar su validez se utiliza para r ealizar una evaluación cualitativa en términos de coordinación de actores y acciones del Plan de Mejora del Barrio L’Erm, Manlleu. Se comprueba que facilita la identific ación de elementos de conexión en contextos urbanos desfavorecidos

The Homely and the Exotic: Spanish Landscape and Space in Felicia Hemans´ Poetry

This dissertation analyses several poetic compositions by the Romantic author Felicia Hemans that deal with Spain. Its main focuses the way in which the author uses Spanish landscapes and spaces to establish a link with Britain at a time of conflict and political instability in European geopolitics. Her poems present a Romanticized and Orientalized image of Spain, which is described as an exotic and distant place, but at the same time the author exploits pathos and sentiment, associating these spaces with positive values and feelings to create a favorable image of them for her readers. Thus, Hemans makes Spain, a distant and exotic place for the British imaginary of the time, appear familiar and close at the same time.Esta tesis analiza varias composiciones poéticas de la autora romántica Felicia Hemans que tratan sobre España. Su enfoque principal es la forma en que la autora utiliza los paisajes y espacios españoles para establecer un vínculo con Gran Bretaña en un momento de conflicto e inestabilidad política en la geopolítica europea. Sus poemas presentan una imagen romantizada y orientalizada de España, que es descrita como un lugar exótico y lejano, pero al mismo tiempo la autora explota el "pathos" y el sentimiento, asociando estos espacios con valores y sentimientos positivos para crear una imagen favorable de ellos para sus lectores. Así, Hemans consigue que España, un lugar lejano y exótico para el imaginario británico de la época, aparezca como familiar y cercano al mismo tiempo.Departamento de Filología InglesaMáster en Estudios Ingleses Avanzados: Lenguas y Culturas en Contact