With an increasingly large amount of data being collected in numerous application areas, the importance of online analytical processing (OLAP) workloads increases constantly. OLAP queries typically access only a small number of columns but a high number of rows and are, thus, most efficiently executed by column-stores. With the significant developments in the main memory domain even large datasets can be entirely held in the main memory. Thus, main memory column-stores have been established as state-of-the-art for OLAP scenarios. In these systems, all values of every column are encoded as a sequence of integer values and, thus, query processing is completely done on these integer sequences. To improve query processing, vectorization based the Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) parallel paradigm is a state-of-the-art technique. Aside from vectorization, lightweight integer compression algorithms also play an important role to reduce the necessary memory space. Unfortunately, there is no single-best lightweight integer compression algorithm, and the algorithm selection decision depends most importantly on the data characteristics. Nevertheless, vectorization and integer compression complement each other, and the combined usage improves the query performance. Unfortunately, the benefits of vectorization are limited on modern x86-processors due to predefined and fixed SIMD instruction set extensions. Nowadays, the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) offers a novel opportunity with regard to hardware reconfigurable capability. For example, we can use an arbitrary length of processor word in FPGA leading to a higher performance, we can prepare proper pipeline-based custom-made database accelerators, and we can develop embedded systems through utilizing such accelerators. Moreover, modern hybrid CPU-FPGA systems have a direct data communication channel between the main memory and FPGA which is useful for throughput acceleration. Based on these advantages, this thesis examines the utilization of FPGA for main memory column-stores. This examination is two-fold. First, we investigate the column scan on compressed data as important operation and second, we systematically look at lightweight integer compression. These two aspects are considered from the hardware perspective to guarantee a certain level of query performance acceleration. In particular, this thesis explores different embedded design options and proposes an adaptive lightweight integer compression system. Based on a comprehensive evaluation, we find out the optimal design constraint as per implementation mechanism for column scan and lightweight integer compression. Finally, we conclude this thesis by mentioning our upcoming research activities.:CONTENTS PAGE 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Analytical Data Systems 2 1.2 Query Acceleration 3 1.3 Thesis Contributions 5 2 BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM DEFINITION 7 2.1 Main Memory Column-Store Database Systems 8 2.2 State-of-the-art Optimization of Query Processing 11 2.2.1 Optimization using SIMD-Vectorization 11 2.2.2 Optimization using GPU-Accelerator 13 2.2.3 Summary 14 2.3 Opportunities and Challenges of FPGA-based Acceleration 15 2.3.1 Hybrid CPU-FPGA Architecture 15 2.3.2 Related Works on FPGA-based Acceleration 17 2.3.3 Research Challenges 19 3 COLUMN SCAN ON COMPRESSED DATA 21 3.1 Column Scan 22 3.1.1 Naïve 22 3.1.2 BitWeaving 24 3.1.3 SIMD Implementation 26 3.2 FPGA Implementation 29 3.2.1 Processing Element 30 3.2.2 Basic Architecture 31 3.2.3 Hybrid Architecture 31 3.3 Comparative Evaluation 32 3.3.1 SIMD Evaluation 33 3.3.2 FPGA Evaluation 36 3.4 Lessons Learned and Summary 38 4 ADAPTIVE LIGHTWEIGHT COMPRESSION SYSTEM 40 4.1 Lightweight Integer Compression 41 4.1.1 Overview and Classification 41 4.1.2 State-of-the-art Implementation Concepts 43 4.1.3 Discussion 46 4.2 FPGA-based Implementation of Lightweight Integer Compression Algorithms 46 4.2.1 Recap FPGA-based Architecture 47 4.2.2 Custom-made Compression HW Implementation 47 4.2.3 Lightweight Integer Compression System Implementation 56 4.2.4 Discussion 57 4.3 Adaptive Compression Systems 57 4.3.1 User-Specified Adaptive System 58 4.3.2 HW-Specified Adaptive Systems 59 4.4 Experimental Evaluation 63 4.4.1 Data Properties Definition 64 4.4.2 Physical-Level Compression 65 4.4.3 Logical-Level Compression 67 4.4.4 Cascaded Compression 69 4.4.5 Adaptive Compression 74 4.5 Lessons Learned and Summary 78 5 CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK 81 5.1 Conclusion 82 5.2 Future Work 84 BIBLIOGRAPHY 86 LIST OF FIGURES 91 LIST OF TABLES 94 CONTENTS

In my thesis, I will focus on outsourcing the way it may be applied from global perspective. I will precisely define specific types of outsourcing, it`s versatility and summarize current trends in outsourcing business. Besides outsourcing, focus has also been put on managed service known as managed ICT services. Looking into these, particular interest is given to outsourcing of printing services and managed desktop services. As a result, deep dive into current situation of a concrete company was done, listing analysis of actual printing devices and desktop devices, ending with closing summary recommending the best way to implement new solution and smart ways of financing.

The subject of this thesis is to work out the project documentation for a residential building with commercial spaces in cadastral area of Trenčianske Stankovce, part Malé Stankovce. Residential building with commercial spaces is divided into two architecturally connected units. Residential building consists of one underground and three floors. Commercial spaces are designed as a fitness center with the underground floor. The floor plan of this complex is designed in the shape of a letter V. Construction system is longitudinal, wall made. Vertical supporting structures of the house are mainly made by the system POROTHERM. Other vertical and horizontal structures are made of reinforced concrete. In the commercial part of the project there are horizontal structures designed from prestressed ceiling panels SPIROLL. The roof of the residential building is designed as a single-shell flat roof. The roof above the commercial spaces is made as single-shell flat extensive vegetative roof. The drawing part is made with the AutoCAD software.

This exploratory study is a first attempt to translate the Indian cultural context from a socio-cultural, and legal perspective by identifying the values attributed to Indian textile craftsmanship by Indian textile and fashion stakeholders, and how their perspective is influenced by the global recognition and perception of Indian textile crafts and connotation of “Made in India”. At the same time the study investigates the meaning of “sustainability” in the Indian cultural context, in relation to textile craftsmanship, and how this relates to the Western concept of “sustainability”. Through field research in conjunction with a series of in-depth unstructured interviews, this study reveals that Cultural Sustainability is the dominating narrative in the Indian cultural context due to the prevalence of culturally embedded sustainability practices and the role of textile craftsmanship in sustaining livelihood, being a unique exercise of positioning Indian textile craftsmanship within a framework of cultural heritage as a valuable source of knowledge for sustainable practices in the fashion and textile industry. Unique about this study are the India-centric approach combined with the ethnicity of the subjects interviewed - who are, without exception, Indian nationals, whose work, voice and reputation are shaping India's contemporary textile craft -sustainability narrative (being referred to as the “Indian textiles and fashion elite”) and the framing of traditional craftsmanship from a legal perspective, introducing the notion of legal protection of traditional textile knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.

Image segmentation plays an important role in medical image analysis. Many segmentation algorithms exist. Most of them produce data which are more or less not suitable for further surface extraction and anatomical modeling of human tissues. In this thesis, a novel segmentation technique based on the 3D Delaunay triangulation is proposed. A modified variational tetrahedral meshing approach is used to adapt a tetrahedral mesh to the underlying CT volumetric data, so that image edges are well approximated in the mesh. In order to classify tetrahedra into regions/tissues whose characteristics are similar, three different clustering schemes are presented. Finally, several methods for improving quality of the mesh and its adaptation to the image structure are also discussed.

The significance of human capital development (HCD) from an organizational perspective is adequately reflected in the extant literature; however, its inherent connection with total quality management (TQM) philosophy is yet to be investigated. Hence, this study intends to explore the role of HCD in implementing TQM philosophy and to develop a comprehensive HCD framework in this respect. The labor-intensive Bangladesh ready-made garment sector is used as the research site since the phenomenon under inquiry is not readily evident in the chosen setting. The interpretivist worldview is espoused in this exploratory research to accomplish the research aim. Correspondingly, an inductive approach followed by a qualitative multiple case study methodology is adopted. Five (5) RMG establishments are purposively selected as case organizations. Thirty (30) in-depth interviews (6 from each case organization) are conducted, using the semi-structured interview technique to generate rich and thick primary data. Reflexive thematic analysis is manually performed to analyze the interview transcripts. Findings imply that HCD engenders three major effects: reduced costs of operations, improved product quality, and on-time shipment. Thereby HCD ensures greater customer satisfaction and loyalty, which is the essence of TQM philosophy. Empirical evidence specifically suggests that HCD can contribute to TQM implementation by empowering employees to reliably participate in problem solving and decision-making, innovatively perform tasks, and effectively accomplish appropriate changes in work processes and procedures. This study contributes to the knowledge by evidencing the fact that an HCD framework integrating both learning and healthcare interventions has an explicitly positive nexus with TQM philosophy. / Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK

Facsimile No. 3 of the Book of Abraham contains parallels to other Egyptian throne scenes found elsewhere, which fact has led many to pass Facsimile No. 3 off as commonplace. However, the lack of a broad comparative study examining these types of scenes in their varying contexts has rendered most conclusions regarding Facsimile No. 3 superficial at best. Hugh Nibley was perhaps the first to notice this problem, arguing that "The great abundance of pictures of the Facsimile No. 3 variety calls for the widest possible comparative study. In a case like this the student's first obligation is to compare, as widely and as carefully as possible." This thesis takes a critical step in solving this problem by looking at both the textual and iconographic elements found in Facsimile No.3 and comparing them with the larger corpus of Egyptian texts, temples, tombs, and stelae. Significantly, this study compares Facsimile No. 3 with the throne scenes from every other publicly known copy of the Book of Breathings, the ancient Egyptian document on which Facsimile No. 3 was found.In this thesis, I argue that Facsimile No. 3 is not as commonplace as some scholars have argued in the past. I begin this thesis with an introduction which presents some of the main issues surrounding Facsimile No. 3, including some of the likely reasons as to why it has remained the least studied of the three Facsimiles of the Book of Abraham. The first chapter contains a literature review of the published writings and theories that deal with Facsimile No. 3. Chapter Two gives a closer look at the hieroglyphs of Facsimile No. 3 and discusses some of the challenges relating to the translations that have been offered for them. The iconography of Facsimile No. 3 is discussed in the third chapter, where it is compared with the larger corpus of Book of Breathings vignettes. This discussion is especially important, as it is the first study to date which compares Facsimile No. 3 with the vignettes from all other extant copies of the Book of Breathings. In Chapter Four, this comparative study broadens, and parallels to Facsimile No. 3 are looked for in Ptolemaic copies of the Book of the Dead, Temples, Tombs, and funerary stelae.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.