Hybrid Materialization in a Disk-Based Column-Store

In column-oriented query processing, a materialization strategy determines when lightweight positions (row IDs) are translated into tuples. It is an important part of column-store architecture, since it defines the class of supported query plans, and, therefore, impacts the overall system performance. In this paper we continue investigating materialization strategies for a distributed disk-based column-store. We start with demonstrating cases when existing approaches impose fundamental limitations on the resulting system performance. Then, in order to address them, we propose a new hybrid materialization model. The main feature of hybrid materialization is the ability to manipulate both positions and values at the same time. This way, query engine can flexibly combine advantages of all the existing strategies and support a new class of query plans. Moreover, hybrid materialization allows the query engine to flexibly customize the materialization policy of individual attributes. We describe our vision of how hybrid materialization can be implemented in a columnar system. As an example, we use PosDB~ -- a distributed, disk-based column-store. We present necessary data structures, the internals of a hybrid operator, and describe the algebra of such operators. Based on this implementation, we evaluate performance of late, ultra-late, and hybrid materialization strategies in several scenarios based on TPC-H queries. Our experiments demonstrate that hybrid materialization is almost two times faster than its counterparts, while providing a more flexible query model

3D LiDAR Scanning of Urban Forest Structure Using a Consumer Tablet

Forest measurements using conventional methods may not capture all the important information required to properly characterize forest structure. The objective of this study was to develop a low-cost alternative method for forest inventory measurements and characterization of forest structure using handheld LiDAR technology. Three-dimensional (3D) maps of trees were obtained using an iPad Pro with a LiDAR sensor. Freely-available software programs, including 3D Forest Software and CloudCompare software, were used to determine tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and distance between trees. The 3D point cloud data obtained from the iPad Pro LiDAR sensor was able to estimate tree DBH accurately, with a residual error of 2.4 cm in an urban forest stand and 1.9 cm in an actively managed experimental forest stand. Distances between trees also were accurately estimated, with mean residual errors of 0.21 m for urban forest, and 0.38 m for managed forest stand. This study demonstrates that it is possible to use a low-cost consumer tablet with a LiDAR sensor to accurately measure certain forest attributes, which could enable the crowdsourcing of urban and other forest tree DBH and density data because of its integration into existing Apple devices and ease of use

Can Russia’s high mortality return until 2030 to trajectory of the 1980-ies and reach the SDGs evenly across the country?

  Aim: This study reviews the ability of the Russian Federation to reduce the high mortality until 2030 evenly across the country and in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Methods: We adopted the method suggested by Haenszel for estimating Premature Years of Life Lost for the age group <70 years and applied a projected reduction of 33% by 2030 as proposed for SDG 3.4. To calculate the potential time gap we used the model of the United Nations Development Programme and standardized the rates by the OECD 1980 Standard Population employing the direct method.   Results: If Russia keeps the present level of effort the reduction by one third of the level of premature mortality as in 2013 will be in reach already in 2024 i.e. 5.9 years in advance of the SDG 3 target for 2030. This target is achieved quite evenly also throughout the 8 districts of the Russian Federation between 10.6 and 5.0 years in advance and in selected special districts/republics with the highest and lowest mortality rates.   Conclusion: After the steep decrease of life expectancy during the 1990ies the Russian Federation returned to the original trajectory.   Keywords: gap analysis, premature mortality, public health, Russian Federation, SDG.   Conflicts of interest: None declared.   Statement of Funding: None declared.   Note: Valery Chernyavskiy, Helmut Wenzel, Julia Mikhailova, Alla Ivanova, Elena Zemlianova, Vesna Bjegovic-Mikanovic, Alexander Mikhailov, Ulrich Laaser. Can Russia’s high mortality return until 2030 to trajectory of the 1980ies and reach the sdgs evenly across the country? Published 13 November 2020 in parallel by: Social'nye aspekty zdorov'a naselenia / Social aspects of population health [serial online] 2020; 66(5):14; DOI: 10.21045/2071-5021-2020-66-5-12. Available from: http://vestnik.mednet.ru/content/view/1205/30/lang,r

Прогнозное моделирование межэтнических отношений в российских регионах на основе анализа идентификационных стратегий диаспорных и земляческих групп

В статье исследуется стратегическое взаимодействие социально-этнических групп в регионах полиэтнической России. Установлено, что диаспоры и землячества, наряду с остальным местным населением, являются активными субъектами (акторами) региональных социумов и существенно влияют на все стороны жизни в регионах. Сложная структура взаимоотношений разных акторов, характеризующихся многомерной идентификацией, определяет социально-идентификационные особенности конкретного региона, но при этом и определяется ими. Поэтому адаптация и интеграция мигрантов, диаспор и землячеств в региональных социумах — двусторонний процесс, включающий экстериоризацию ценностных ориентиров, норм и правил региональных и местных сообществ с учетом интересов диаспорных и земляческих групп, с одной стороны, и интериоризацию этих ориентиров, норм и правил в диаспорах и землячествах — с другой, на основе общероссийской идентификации. Исследо-вание такого двустороннего процесса осуществлено на основе разработки социокультурных этнических моделей: примордиалистской, конструктивистской и инструменталистской. Определено соотношение выявленных идентификационных стратегий, их роли в оптимизации этно-групповой и социально-территориальной идентичности в контексте общероссийской национальной безопасности

Successful reduction of premature mortality in the Russian Federation and the countries around the Baltic Sea working together on Health and Social Well-being

Context: The ‘Northern Dimension on Public Health and Social Well-being’ is a platform for dialogue and cooperation of countries around the Baltic Sea, established in 2003, guided by the Sustainable Development Goal 3 on Health and Social Well-being and the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region of the European Union adopted in 2009. In this paper we determine the overall progress of the Russian Federation and its North West Federal Okrugin in particular, with regard to the reduction of mortality. Methods: For the purpose of inter-country comparison and progress over time we make use of age-standardised Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) applied to quantifiable strategic targets, the Sustainable Development Goal 3 on Health and Social Well-being and the European Union Strategy of the Baltic Sea Region. A gap analysis is performed to determine whether the target achievement is in delay or on track. Results: With reference to the baseline of 2009 – corresponding to the most relevant recent period 2009-2020 respectively 2009-2030 – the Russian Federation as a whole is on track achieving the two strategic targets in advance by 2.7 years. For the North West Federal Okrug around St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad bordering the Baltic Sea the target achievement is estimated to be 4.8 and 10.8 years in advance of the deadlines 2020 and 2030. In comparison to the Baltic Sea states the Russian Federation takes a middle position after Estonia, Latvia and Finland. The early target achievement is confirmed if the period 2003-2020 respectively 2003-2030 is considered. Conclusion: Although the region is progressing there may be a slowdown towards 2030. A careful analysis is required to determine to which degree the activities of the Partnership for Health and Social Well-being have contributed to the success and what should be proposed to increase the impact on premature mortality

Toxic properties and allelopathic activity of Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall.

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall., known as yellow sweetclover (Fabaceae), is widely used in medicine and agriculture. At the same time, yellow sweetclover is a weed and invasive plant in Siberia. In Russia, M. officinalis is cultivated as a valuable medicinal, fodder and honey plant. Its widespread use is due to its high ecological plasticity. In recent years, an interest in cultivation of M. officinalis as a low maintenance multipurpose crop has increased in biological agriculture. The herb M. officinalis contains a rich complex of biologically active compounds. However, along with positive properties, this species, though with a rich chemical composition and high physiological activity, is toxic towards different groups of living organisms. The toxic effect of M. officinalis extracts is primarily due to the presence of coumarin. A high allelopathic activity of M. officinalis was revealed. The phytotoxic effect of herb extracts on germination of crop and weed seeds was studied in detail. Data on the fungicidal and insecticidal activity of M. officinalis were obtained. Laboratory and in situ studies showed that the aboveground part of M. officinalis is a potential source of biopesticides with a broad-spectrum effect (bioherbicidal, insecticidal and fungicidal)