Efficient processing of raster and vector data

[Abstract] In this work, we propose a framework to store and manage spatial data, which includes new efficient algorithms to perform operations accepting as input a raster dataset and a vector dataset. More concretely, we present algorithms for solving a spatial join between a raster and a vector dataset imposing a restriction on the values of the cells of the raster; and an algorithm for retrieving K objects of a vector dataset that overlap cells of a raster dataset, such that the K objects are those overlapping the highest (or lowest) cell values among all objects. The raster data is stored using a compact data structure, which can directly manipulate compressed data without the need for prior decompression. This leads to better running times and lower memory consumption. In our experimental evaluation comparing our solution to other baselines, we obtain the best space/time trade-offs.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; TIN2016-78011-C4-1-RMinisterio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; TIN2016-77158 C4-3-RMinisterio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; RTC-2017-5908-7Xunta de Galicia; ED431C 2017/58Xunta de Galicia; ED431G/01Xunta de Galicia; IN852A 2018/14University of Bío-Bío; 192119 2/RUniversity of Bío-Bío; 195119 GI/V

Utilization of Water Hyacinth and Banana Wastes Compost in Reclamation of Sandy Soils for Increasing Growth, Yield of Cowpea

Pot experiments were carried out in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, to study the effect of water hyacinth and banana wastes compost (0, 10, 15 and 20 ton/fed) combined with inorganic nitrogenous fertilizers namely ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate and urea (in the rate of 60 kg N/Fed and this rate was 50% of the recommended dose), on the growth, yield and nutrient content of cowpea plants. All pots received P and K as recommended. The addition of various rates of water hyacinth and banana wastes composts (H.B.C.) under study significantly increased all plant growth parameters under the study, i.e., plant height, plant fresh weight and dry weight of both shoots and roots, the number of root nodules as well as the nutrient content of the different plant organs compared with the control and the chemical fertilizer application of the recommended dose (100%). There was a marked increase in pod characters, yield and its components, i.e., number of pods per plant, length, diameter and weight of pods per plant. The highest values of growth characters of yield and its components and the contents of nutrient elements were noticed when applying compost at the higher rates (20 ton/fed.) followed by 15 and 10 ton/fed., in a descending order as compared with the control. The best combination of nitrogen forms and the compost is considered to be one of the primary factors for high yield production and quality as well as yield components of cowpea. The highest significant increase in growth characters, yield and yield components, as well as the total carbohydrates and crude protein content of the seeds, were obtained via the application of compost in combination with ammonium sulphate at the rate of 20 ton/fed

Fingolimod Alters Tissue Distribution and Cytokine Production of Human and Murine Innate Lymphoid Cells

Sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) is expressed by lymphocytes and regulates their egress from secondary lymphoid organs. Innate lymphoid cell (ILC) family has been expanded with the discovery of group 1, 2 and 3 ILCs, namely ILC1, ILC2 and ILC3. ILC3 and ILC1 have remarkable similarity to CD4+ helper T cell lineage members Th17 and Th1, respectively, which are important in the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Whether human ILC subsets express S1PR1 or respond to its ligands have not been studied. In this study, we used peripheral blood/cord blood and tonsil lymphocytes as a source of human ILCs. We show that human ILCs express S1PR1 mRNA and protein and migrate toward S1P receptor ligands. Comparison of peripheral blood ILC numbers between fingolimod-receiving and treatment-free MS patients revealed that, in vivo, ILCs respond to fingolimod, an S1PR1 agonist, resulting in ILC-penia in circulation. Similarly, murine ILCs responded to fingolimod by exiting blood and accumulating in the secondary lymph nodes. Importantly, ex vivo exposure of ILC3 and ILC1 to fingolimod or SEW2871, another S1PR1 antagonist, reduced production of ILC3- and ILC1- associated cytokines GM-CSF, IL-22, IL-17, and IFN-γ, respectively. Surprisingly, despite reduced number of lamina propria-resident ILC3s in the long-term fingolimod-treated mice, ILC3-associated IL-22, IL-17A, GM-CSF and antimicrobial peptides were high in the gut compared to controls, suggesting that its long term use may not compromise mucosal barrier function. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the impact of fingolimod on human ILC subsets in vivo and ex vivo, and provides insight into the impact of long term fingolimod use on ILC populations

The effect of cardiac ischemic preconditioning on rat left ventricular gene expression profile

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a phenomenon where heart is rendered more resistant to subsequent ischemia-reperfusion (I-R)-induced injury by one or more brief episodes of I-R. The mechanisms responsible for cardio-protective effects of IPC are not well characterized. The objective of the study was to characterize gene expression profiles in the left ventricle of male Wistar rat hearts exposed to I-R or IPC followed by I-R. Group I included hearts that were only perfused for 30 min. Group 2 included hearts that underwent 30 min perfusion followed by 40 min I and 30 min R. Group 3 comprised 30 min perfused hearts that were subjected to IPC (5 min I + 10 min R + 5 min I + 10 min R) followed by I-R. Total RNAs were isolated from left ventricular tissues. Codelink gene expression system (GE Healthcare) was used for cRNA target preparation, hybridization of microarrays (Rat UmSet 10K CodeLink bioarrays, GE Healthcare) and detection. Microarrays were scanned with Affymetrix 428 Array scanner. Data analyses were carried out with GeneSifter rnicroarray data analysis software. We determined a total of 140 transcripts (>= 2-fold change) whose expressions were changed (44 up-regulated and 96 down-regulated) accompanying to I-R injury compared to perfused only hearts. Twenty-three transcripts including Ryr3, Crk, Dio1, Npy1r, Ptpra, Cyp51 that were down-regulated by I-R injury, were up-regulated by cardiac IPC. IPC down-regulated the expression of several transcripts including Atf3 (activating transcription factor 3), carboxypeptidase A1 (Cpa 1), Slc38a4, Blk which were up-regulated by I-R. In conclusion, evaluation of global gene expression profiling via microarray-based technologies provides a molecular portrait of cardiac IPC of the left ventricular tissue of rat heart. Copyright C 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a phenomenon where heart is rendered more resistant to subsequent ischemia-reperfusion (I-R)-induced injury by one or more brief episodes of I-R. The mechanisms responsible for cardio-protective effects of IPC are not well characterized. The objective of the study was to characterize gene expression profiles in the left ventricle of male Wistar rat hearts exposed to I-R or IPC followed by I-R. Group 1 included hearts that were only perfused for 30 min. Group 2 included hearts that underwent 30 min perfusion followed by 40 min I and 30 min R. Group 3 comprised 30 min perfused hearts that were subjected to IPC (5 min I + 10 min R + 5 min I + 10 min R) followed by I-R. Total RNAs were isolated from left ventricular tissues. Codelink gene expression system (GE Healthcare) was used for cRNA target preparation, hybridization of microarrays (Rat UniSet 10 K CodeLink bioarrays, GE Healthcare) and detection. Microarrays were scanned with Affymetrix 428 Array scanner. Data analyses were carried out with GeneSifter microarray data analysis software. We determined a total of 140 transcripts (&gt; or =2-fold change) whose expressions were changed (44 up-regulated and 96 down-regulated) accompanying to I-R injury compared to perfused only hearts. Twenty-three transcripts including Ryr3, Crk, Dio1, Npy1r, Ptpra, Cyp51 that were down-regulated by I-R injury, were up-regulated by cardiac IPC. IPC down-regulated the expression of several transcripts including Atf3 (activating transcription factor 3), carboxypeptidase A1 (Cpa1), Slc38a4, Blk which were up-regulated by I-R. In conclusion, evaluation of global gene expression profiling via microarray-based technologies provides a molecular portrait of cardiac IPC of the left ventricular tissue of rat heart.</p