scholarly journals Decision support for the selection of reference sites using <sup>137</sup>Cs as a soil erosion tracer

SOIL ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Arata ◽  
Katrin Meusburger ◽  
Alexandra Bürge ◽  
Markus Zehringer ◽  
Michael E. Ketterer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Decision Tree ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Reference Sites ◽  
Chernobyl Fallout ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Alpine Valley ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract. The classical approach of using 137Cs as a soil erosion tracer is based on the comparison between stable reference sites and sites affected by soil redistribution processes; it enables the derivation of soil erosion and deposition rates. The method is associated with potentially large sources of uncertainty with major parts of this uncertainty being associated with the selection of the reference sites. We propose a decision support tool to Check the Suitability of reference Sites (CheSS). Commonly, the variation among 137Cs inventories of spatial replicate reference samples is taken as the sole criterion to decide on the suitability of a reference inventory. Here we propose an extension of this procedure using a repeated sampling approach, in which the reference sites are resampled after a certain time period. Suitable reference sites are expected to present no significant temporal variation in their decay-corrected 137Cs depth profiles. Possible causes of variation are assessed by a decision tree. More specifically, the decision tree tests for (i) uncertainty connected to small-scale variability in 137Cs due to its heterogeneous initial fallout (such as in areas affected by the Chernobyl fallout), (ii) signs of erosion or deposition processes and (iii) artefacts due to the collection, preparation and measurement of the samples; (iv) finally, if none of the above can be assigned, this variation might be attributed to turbation processes (e.g. bioturbation, cryoturbation and mechanical turbation, such as avalanches or rockfalls). CheSS was exemplarily applied in one Swiss alpine valley where the apparent temporal variability called into question the suitability of the selected reference sites. In general we suggest the application of CheSS as a first step towards a comprehensible approach to test for the suitability of reference sites.

scholarly journals Decision support for the selection of reference sites using <sup>137</sup>Cs as soil erosion tracer

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Arata ◽  
Katrin Meusburger ◽  
Alexandra Bürge ◽  
Markus Zehringer ◽  
Michael E. Ketterer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Decision Tree ◽  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Reference Sites ◽  
Rock Falls ◽  
Chernobyl Fallout ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract. The classical approach to use 137Cs as soil erosion tracer is based on the comparison between stable reference sites and sites affected by soil redistribution processes, and enables to derive soil erosion and deposition rates. The method is associated with potentially large sources of uncertainty with major parts of this uncertainty being associated with the selection of the reference sites. We propose a decision support tool to Check the Suitability of reference Sites (CheSS) for systematic validation or rejection of reference sites. The method is based on a repeated sampling approach, where the reference sites are resampled after a certain time period. Suitable reference sites are expected to present no significant temporal variation in their decay corrected 137Cs depth profiles. Possible causes of temporal variation are narrowed down by a decision tree. More specifically, the decision tree tests for (i) uncertainty connected to small scale variability of 137Cs due to its heterogeneous initial fallout (such as in areas affected by the Chernobyl fallout), (ii) signs of erosion/deposition processes, (iii) artefacts due to the collection, preparation and measurement of the samples and (iv) finally, if none of the above can be assigned, this variation might be attributed to "turbation" processes (e.g. bioturbation, cryoturbation and mechanical turbation such as avalanches or rock falls). CheSS has been tested in one Swiss alpine valley, where the suitability of six reference sites was tested.

scholarly journals Development and validation of a neuroimaging biomarker for electroconvulsive therapy outcome in depression: a multicenter machine learning analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem B Bruin ◽  
Leif Oltedal ◽  
Hauke Bartsch ◽  
Christopher C Abbott ◽  
Miklos Argyelan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Functional Mri ◽  
Clinical Decision Support ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Clinical Decision Support Tool

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective intervention for patients with treatment resistant depression. A clinical decision support tool could guide patient selection to improve the overall response rate and avoid ineffective treatments with adverse effects. Initial small-scale, mono-center studies indicate that both structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI biomarkers may predict ECT outcome, but it is not known whether those results can generalize to data from other centers. Here, we used MRI data of 189 depressed patients from seven participating centers of the Global ECT-MRI Research Collaboration (GEMRIC) to develop and validate neuroimaging biomarkers for ECT outcome in a multi-center setting. We used multimodal data (i.e., clinical, structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI) and evaluated which data modalities or combinations thereof could provide the best predictions for treatment response (≥50% symptom reduction) or remission (minimal symptoms after treatment) using a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Remission classification using a combination of gray matter volume with functional connectivity led to good performing models with 0.82-0.84 area under the curve (AUC) when trained and tested on samples coming from all centers, and remained acceptable when validated on other centers with 0.71-0.73 AUC. These results show that multimodal neuroimaging data is able to provide good prediction of remission with ECT for individual patients across different treatment centers, despite significant variability in clinical characteristics across centers. This suggests that these biomarkers are robust, indicating that future development of a clinical decision support tool applying these biomarkers may be feasible.

Benchmarking contractors’ financial performance: case study of Singapore

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhe Zhang ◽  
Zhi Ye Koh ◽  
Florence Ling
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Tree ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Public Agency

Purpose This study aims to develop benchmarks of the financial performance of contractors and a decision support tool for evaluation, selection and appointment of contractors. The financial benchmarks allow contractors to know where they are relative to the best-performing contractors, and they can then take steps to improve their own performance. The decision support tool helps clients to decide which contractor should be awarded the project. Design/methodology/approach Financial data between 2013 and 2015 of 44 Singapore-based contractors were acquired from a Singaporean public agency. Benchmarks for Z-score and financial ratios were developed. A decision tree for evaluating contractors was constructed. Findings This study found that between 57% and 64% of contractors stayed in the financially healthy zone from 2013 to 2015. Ratios related to financial liabilities are relatively bad compared with international standards. Research limitations/implications The limitation is that the data is obtained from a cross-sectional survey of contractors’ financial performance in Singapore over a three-year period. Regarding the finding that ratios relating to financial liabilities are weak, the implication is that contractors need to reduce their financial liabilities to achieve a good solvency profile. Contractors may use the benchmarks to check their financial performances relative to that of their competitors. To reduce financial risks, project clients may use these benchmarks to examine contractors’ financial performance. Originality/value This study provides benchmarks for contractors and clients to examine the financial performance of contractors in Singapore. A decision tree is provided to aid clients in making decisions on which contractors to appoint.

scholarly journals A DECISION SUPPORT TOOL ON DERELICT BUILDINGS FOR URBAN REGENERATION

2018 ◽  
Vol IV-4/W7 ◽  
pp. 19-25
Author(s):  
I. Blečić ◽  
A. Cecchini ◽  
M. Minchilli ◽  
L. F. Tedeschi ◽  
G. A. Trunfio
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Search Algorithm ◽  
Urban Regeneration ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
The City ◽  
Selection Of

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> We present a decision suppport tool for the comparison and selection of projects of integrated renovation of derelict buildings and areas for the purpose of urban regeneration. Each project is defined as a subset of derelict properties to renovate together with their respective designated use, and is scored by the decision support tool on two criteria: expected effort and estimated effectiveness in terms of improved urban capabilities in the urban area of interest. The expected effort is estimated as a global transformation cost, factoring in legal and management overhead costs as well as possible economies of scale. The effectiveness in evaluated in terms of extension of urban capabilities centred on walkable distances. We have implemented a bi-objective evolutionary search algorithm to address the computational complexity of the problem of search for efficient (non-dominated) projects over the two criteria. For the purpose of illustration, we present an example case-study application on the historical core of the city of Sassari, Italy.</p>

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