Distributed Partitioning and Processing of Large Spatial Datasets

Data collection is one of the most common practices in today’s world. The data collection rate has rapidly increased over the past decade and is not showing any signs of decline. Data sources are many; the Internet of Things devices, mobile gadgets, social media posts, connected cars, and web servers constantly report on their users’ interactions and habits. Much of the collected data is spatial data which contains attributes that denote the physical origin of the data. As a result of the tremendous growth in data collection, higher demand for new techniques emerged to efficiently process and extract valuable insights in a relatively acceptable time frame. The current standard approach to large-scale data analysis uses distributed parallel processing systems like Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark. However, these systems are designed for general-purpose parallel processing and require an additional layer to recognize and efficiently process spatial datasets. Motivated by its many applications, we examine the several challenges facing spatial data partitioning and processing and propose solutions customized for each task. We detail our techniques for building spatial partitioners over large datasets for use with spatial queries like map-matching and kNN spatial join. Additionally, we present an accuracy benchmarking framework for comparing and classifying the results of two input files based on specific criteria. Our proposed work targets batch processing of large spatial datasets, including structured, unstructured, and semi-structured datasets

In vitro fermentation and microbial protein synthesis of some browse tree leaves with or without addition of polyethylene glycol

To assess the nutritional value of the leaf of four browse trees (Chorisia speciosa, Cassia fistula, Schinus molle, Eucalyptus camaldulensis), that are grown in semi-arid regions of northern Egypt, this study evaluated effects of incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on their nutritional value. In vitro gas production after 24 h of fermentation (IVGP24), volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia concentrations and microbial protein synthesis were determined, and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) were estimated. The IVGP24, VFA and ammonia N concentrations varied (P<0.001) among browse species, with the IVGP24 and VFA highest (P<0.001) for C. speciosa, lowest (P<0.001) for E. camaldulensis, and intermediate for C. fistula and S. molle. C. speciosa had the highest (P<0.05) IVOMD, microbial protein synthesis, IVOMD and ME, while these measurements were lowest in E. camaldulensis and intermediate in the other browse leaves. In general, C. speciosa has the highest potential as a ruminant feed, the lowest being E. camaldulensis and S. molle, with C. fistula intermediate. Addition of PEG increased (P<0.001) IVGP24, VFA and ammonia N concentrations, as well as gas production (P<0.05). The highest overall improvement was for C. speciosa, intermediate for E. camaldulensis, and lowest for C. fistula and S. molle. Addition of PEG reduced (P<0.01) the amount and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, and increased (P<0.001) IVOMD and ME in all leaves. The extent of the benefit of PEG on overall nutritive value varied somewhat by browse, with E. camaldulensis judged to have the largest overall improvement, C. fistula the lowest with C. speciosa and S. molle intermediate. However PEG addition did not change overall nutritive ranking of these browse leaves

Replacement of berseemhay by Salix tetrasperma on physiological performance of New Zealand White rabbits under subtropical conditions of Egypt

Forty-eight growing New Zealand White male rabbits aged 6 weeks (874±1.3 g initial body weight (BW)) were used to study effects of partial replacement of berseem hay (BH) with Salix tetrasperma hay (ST) on growth and physiological responses. Rabbits were allotted to one of four diets of 12 rabbits each for 75 days in a completely randomized design. The treatments were as follows: control (30 % BH), ST25 (7.5 % ST+22.5 % BH), ST50 (15 % ST+15 % BH), ST75 (22.5 % ST+7.5 % BH). Nutrient digestibility coefficients, nutritive value and N utilization of rabbits fed with the ST50 rations were higher (PST25 and ST50>control. Glucose level was higher (P<0.05) for the control than the other diets. Rabbits fed with the mixed diets of ST had lower (P<0.05) total lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides levels than those fed with control. Haematological indices of packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells and lymphocyte counts were lower (P<0.05), but monocyte was higher, in rabbits fed with the ST75 than the other groups. However, other haematological parameters were similar among diets. Since all the performance and blood parameters were within normal ranges for healthy rabbits, and there were no signs of toxicity, we conclude that partial replacement of BH by ST improves rabbit growth performance, and did not impact rabbit health

GeoMatch: Efficient Large-Scale Map Matching on Apache Spark

Peer reviewe

Effects of sun-drying and exogenous enzymes on nutrients intake, digestibility and nitrogen utilization in sheep fed Atriplex halimus foliages

This study was conducted to assess effects of sun-drying and/or addition of an exogenous enzyme (ENZ) preparation on intake, digestibility of nutrients and recovery values of secondary metabolites (SM) in the gastrointestinal tract of sheep fed Atriplex halimus (AH) foliages. A randomized block design for 28 d was used for four experimental treatments based on either fresh (AH-F) or sun-dried (AH-S) A. halimus foliages in the absence (−ENZ) or presence (+ENZ) of 10 g/sheep/d of the exogenous of ZADO® enzyme preparation. Three adult sheep weighing 51 ± 2.7 kg were fed for each experimental treatment. The ENZ was added daily with a small amount of concentrate to help balance the dietary metabolizable energy concentration. Nutrient intake and digestibility, N balance and recovery of SM (i.e., total phenolics (TP), saponins (SP), alkaloids (AK), aqueous fraction (AF)) in the gastrointestinal tract were determined. Levels of most nutrients did not differ between AH-F and AH-S foliages, but the AH-S contained less than half of the SM in AH-F. Drying of A. halimus and ENZ addition increased (P=0.001) intake as well as OM and NDFom digestibility (P=0.02). Feed intake and digestibility were higher (P=0.01) in AH-S with ENZ addition. Intake of N by sheep fed the treatment diets depended on DM intake as the dietary concentration of N in the diets was similar. Thus AH-S sheep supplemented with ENZ had higher (P=0.001) N intake. Digestibility of N was similar to DM and OM digestibility, and was higher (P=0.03) in AH-S sheep supplemented with ENZ. Drying and ENZ addition to the diet increased (P=0.004) recovery of all SM. The fate of these compounds in the rumen needs to be evaluated considering that SM have been implicated in fiber and protein degradation in the rumen. The study showed that there are beneficial impacts of sun-drying and/or dietary exogenous enzyme addition for sheep fed A. halimus

Effect of pesticides applied in cowpea production on rumen microbial fermentation of cowpea haulms as reflected in in vitro gas production

The present study assessed the effect of lambda cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and dimethoate residues in cowpea haulm on microbial fermentation using gas syringes as incubators. The lambda cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and dimethoate were applied at the vegetative, flowering and podding stages of the cowpea at the rate of 2.66 mg/L, 5.14 mg/L and 6.68 mg/L of water, respectively. Dimethoate was detected in the cowpea haulm at the highest concentration of 1.38 mg/kg. The haulm with no pesticide treatment was incubated with media containing rumen fluid, and pesticides were added at concentrations of 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg. In vitro gas production was measured at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h to estimate the rate of gas evolution. Gas production in general was influenced by pesticide application. In general, gas evolution was reduced by increasing levels of lambda cyhalothrin up to 80 mg/kg. However, an increase in gas accumulation was observed with increasing levels of dimethoate, while the application of cypermethrin yielded no noticeable change in gas production. The study indicates that pesticide residues may function as toxins at concentrations greater than those encountered in the field or lethal dose (LD50) and may inhibit the growth of rumen microbes

DMTs and Covid-19 severity in MS: a pooled analysis from Italy and France

We evaluated the effect of DMTs on Covid-19 severity in patients with MS, with a pooled-analysis of two large cohorts from Italy and France. The association of baseline characteristics and DMTs with Covid-19 severity was assessed by multivariate ordinal-logistic models and pooled by a fixed-effect meta-analysis. 1066 patients with MS from Italy and 721 from France were included. In the multivariate model, anti-CD20 therapies were significantly associated (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;2.05, 95%CI&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.39–3.02, p&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.001) with Covid-19 severity, whereas interferon indicated a decreased risk (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.42, 95%CI&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.18–0.99, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.047). This pooled-analysis confirms an increased risk of severe Covid-19 in patients on anti-CD20 therapies and supports the protective role of interferon

Influence of dietary probiotic inclusion on growth performance, nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation activities and methane production in growing lambs

Investigación producto de mi linea de investigaciónThe use of two probiotic products as a means of improving in vitro and ruminal dry matter digestibility, fermentation characteristics and growth performance of Barki lambs were evaluated. The probiotic products in powder (PP) or liquid (PL) forms were produced from Ruminococcus flavefaciens, through an anaerobic fermentation process. Barki lambs (n¼30; 24.5 ± 0.5 kg body weight) were used in a completely randomized block design and randomly assigned among three experimental groups and fed for 75 days. Lambs were fed an equal amount of concentrate feed mixture with either no probiotic product (control), or with 20 g of PP, or 10 ml of PL per animal/d, with rice straw ad libitum. Both PP and PL treatments resulted in an increase (p<0.05) in nearly all of the digestibility coefficients, nitrogen utilization, cell wall constituents, total volatile fatty acids, rumen volume, microbial nitrogen synthesis, gas production and average daily gain compared to the control group. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid and in vitro methane concentrations and protozoa count decreased (p<0.03) in the treatment groups. Overall, the probiotic in a powder or liquid form increased in vitro dry matter digestibility, improved lambs daily gain and nutrient digestibility.SIyEA UAE

Disturbed hemodynamics and oxidative stress interaction in endothelial dysfunction and AAA progression: Focus on Nrf2 pathway

Hemodynamic shear stress is one of the major factors that are involved in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), through its modulatory effect on the endothelial cell's redox homeostasis and mechanosensitive gene expression. Among important mechanisms, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress activation, and the subsequent endothelial dysfunction are attributed to disturbed blood flow and low shear stress in the vascular curvature and bifurcations which are considered atheroprone regions and aneurysm occurrence spots. Many pathways were shown to be involved in AAA progression. Of particular interest from recent findings is, the (Nrf2)/Keap-1 pathway, where Nrf2 is a transcription factor that has antioxidant properties and is strongly associated with several CVDs, yet, the exact mechanism by which Nrf2 alleviates CVDs still to be elucidated. Nrf2 expression is closely affected by shear stress and was shown to participate in AAA. In the current review paper, we discussed the link between disturbed hemodynamics and its effect on Nrf2 as a mechanosensitive gene and its role in the development of endothelial dysfunction which is linked to the progression of AAA.This study is funded by Qatar University International Research Collaboration Co-Funds (IRCC) Program (IRCC 2020-002). Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library