Different Levels Of Hierarchy Research Articles

Coastal management in Portugal: Practices for reflection and learning

Portugal is located in the southwest of Europe. From economic, cultural, social and environmental point of views, Portuguese coastal areas face multiple challenges related to the coastal management policy, the functionality of the governmental services and the responses to the society, in particular, to the affected citizens. Qualitative and quantitative understanding of the coastal morphological processes is necessary, as it is a precondition for a successful coastal management approach. This paper aims to provide a general overview of the recent morphological coastal development in Portugal, summarize some past experiences on coastal protection and identify potential problems and challenges as an attempt to support an integrated coastal management policy that can be applied in Portugal and other countries facing the same difficulties to mitigate and manage coastal erosion. Special focus is given to the legal status and policy on coastal monitoring, by analyzing the administration responsibilities concerning coastal management, legislation and regulations, as well as policy tools schemes, built into the legal structure with different levels of hierarchy. The manuscript ends with a brief analysis of some future coastal protection measures that are part of a national coastal adaptation strategy proposed to fulfill a set of goals to be established by 2050.

Capsulenet-Based Spatial–Spectral Classifier for Hyperspectral Images

In this paper, a Capsulenet-based framework is proposed for extracting spectral and spatial features for improving hyperspectral image classification. Unlike conventional strategies, the proposed framework simultaneously optimizes both feature extraction and classification. The spectral features/patterns derived at different levels of hierarchies are remodeled as spectral-feature capsules. Consequently, unlike conventional convolutional neural network-based approaches, the relative locations as well as other properties such as depth, width, and position of the spectral patterns are taken into consideration. In addition to learning spectral features/patterns, a convolutional long short-term memory (conv-LSTM) is employed for sequentially integrating the spatial features learned from each band. The integrated spatial-feature representation, thus obtained from the final hidden state of conv-LSTM, forms spatial-feature capsules. The capsule-level integration of spatial and spectral features/patterns yields better convergence and accuracy as compared to both ensemble-based and kernel-level integrations. Along with the margin loss, a spectral-angle-based reconstruction loss is also minimized to regularize the learning of network weights. Experiments over different standard datasets indicate that the proposed approach performs better than other prominent hyperspectral classifiers. Furthermore, in comparison with the recent deep learning models, our approach is found to be less sensitive to the network parameters and achieves better accuracy even with lesser network depth.

Hierarchical Hexagonal Clustering and Indexing

Space-filling curves (SFCs) represent an efficient and straightforward method for sparse-space indexing to transform an n-dimensional space into a one-dimensional representation. This is often applied for multidimensional point indexing which brings a better perspective for data analysis, visualization and queries. SFCs are involved in many areas such as big data analysis and visualization, image decomposition, computer graphics and geographic information systems (GISs). The indexing methods subdivide the space into logic clusters of close points and they differ in various parameters including the cluster order, the distance metrics, and the pattern shape. Beside the simple and highly preferred triangular and square uniform grids, the hexagonal uniform grids have gained high interest especially in areas such as GISs, image processing and data visualization for the uniform distance between cells and high effectiveness of circle coverage. While the linearization of hexagons is an obvious approach for memory representation, it seems there is no hexagonal SFC indexing method generally used in practice. The main limitation of hexagons lies in lacking infinite decomposition into sub-hexagons and similarity of tiles on different levels of hierarchy. Our research aims at defining a fast and robust hexagonal SFC method. The Gosper fractal is utilized to preserve the benefits of hexagonal grids and to efficiently and hierarchically linearize points in a hexagonal grid while solving the non-convex shape and recursive transformation issues of the fractal. A comparison to other SFCs and grids is conducted to verify the robustness and effectiveness of our hexagonal method.

Forensic-chain: Blockchain based digital forensics chain of custody with PoC in Hyperledger Composer

Advancements in Information Technology landscape over the past two decades have made the collection, preservation, and analysis of digital evidence an extremely important tool for solving cybercrimes and preparing court cases. Digital evidence plays an important role in cybercrime investigation, as it is used to link individuals with criminal activities. Thus it is of utmost importance to guarantee integrity, authenticity, and auditability of digital evidence as it moves along different levels of hierarchy in the chain of custody during cybercrime investigation. Modern day technology is more advanced in terms of portability and power. A huge amount of information is generated by billions of devices connected to the internet that needs to be stored and accessed, thus posing great challenges in maintaining the integrity and authenticity of digital evidence for its admissibility in the court of law. Handling digital evidences poses unique challenges because of the fact they are latent, volatile, fragile, can cross jurisdictional borders quickly and easily and in many cases can be time/machine dependent too. Thus guaranteeing the authenticity and legality of processes and procedures used to gather and transfer the evidence in a digital society is a real challenge. Blockchain technology's capability of enabling comprehensive view of transactions (events/actions) back to origination provides enormous promise for the forensic community. In this research we proposed Forensic-Chain: A Blockchain based Digital Forensics Chain of Custody, bringing integrity and tamper resistance to digital forensics chain of custody. We also provided Proof of Concept in Hyperledger Composer and evaluated its performance.

Computer-aided design of cyber-physical building systems

At present, an increasing number of researchers and specialists in the construction industry come to the opinion that it is advisable to use a number of technologies (BIM, Smart City, Big Data, IOT and others) in the practice of construction (in the broad sense of this concept), which are united by the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The result of the implementation of these technologies in the construction should be the transition to the widespread use of cyber-physical systems. The problem of using information technologies in construction today is not due to the lack of this process as such, but to the lack of consistency and consistency in it. Fragmentary nature of the application, inconsistency of the applied technologies at different levels of management and at different stages of the life cycle of construction projects sharply reduce the potential positive effect of informatization and building automation. At the same time, the concept of cyber-physical systems, that is, the integration at the system level of physical processes and controls has proven effective in industrial production. The approaches to ensuring the processes of designing cyber-physical building systems through the development and application of General mathematical models for the processes of data exchange and management are considered. The presented models of data exchange and management of cyber-physical building systems describe the processes implemented at each stage of the life cycle of cyber-physical building systems. Functional blocks of the considered models allow to describe the processes of data collection, storage and processing on the current and past stages of the life cycle of cyber-physical construction systems. The presented models are the elements of mathematical support of the processes of designing cyber-physical building systems, which determine the processes of information exchange and management between the structures of cyber-physical building systems of different levels of hierarchy in the full life cycle.

Subgoal- and Goal-related Reward Prediction Errors in Medial Prefrontal Cortex.

A longstanding view of the organization of human and animal behavior holds that behavior is hierarchically organized-in other words, directed toward achieving superordinate goals through the achievement of subordinate goals or subgoals. However, most research in neuroscience has focused on tasks without hierarchical structure. In past work, we have shown that negative reward prediction error (RPE) signals in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) can be linked not only to superordinate goals but also to subgoals. This suggests that mPFC tracks impediments in the progression toward subgoals. Using fMRI of human participants engaged in a hierarchical navigation task, here we found that mPFC also processes positive prediction errors at the level of subgoals, indicating that this brain region is sensitive to advances in subgoal completion. However, when subgoal RPEs were elicited alongside with goal-related RPEs, mPFC responses reflected only the goal-related RPEs. These findings suggest that information from different levels of hierarchy is processed selectively, depending on the task context.

Multiscale Imaging Reveals the Hierarchical Organization of Fibrillin Microfibrils

Fibrillin microfibrils are evolutionarily ancient, structurally complex extracellular polymers found in mammalian elastic tissues where they endow elastic properties, sequester growth factors and mediate cell signalling; thus, knowledge of their structure and organization is essential for a more complete understanding of cell function and tissue morphogenesis. By combining multiple imaging techniques, we visualize three levels of hierarchical organization of fibrillin structure ranging from micro-scale fiber bundles in the ciliary zonule to nano-scale individual microfibrils. Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy imaging suggests that bundles of zonule fibers are bound together by circumferential wrapping fibers, which is mirrored on a shorter-length scale where individual zonule fibers are interwoven by smaller fibers. Electron tomography shows that microfibril directionality varies from highly aligned and parallel, connecting to the basement membrane, to a meshwork at the zonule fiber periphery, and microfibrils within the zonule are connected by short cross-bridges, potentially formed by fibrillin-binding proteins. Three-dimensional reconstructions of negative-stain electron microscopy images of purified microfibrils confirm that fibrillin microfibrils have hollow tubular structures with defined bead and interbead regions, similar to tissue microfibrils imaged in our tomograms. These microfibrils are highly symmetrical, with an outer ring and interwoven core in the bead and four linear prongs, each accommodating a fibrillin dimer, in the interbead region. Together these data show how a single molecular building block is organized into different levels of hierarchy from microfibrils to tissue structures spanning nano- to macro-length scales. Furthermore, the application of these combined imaging approaches has wide applicability to other tissue systems.

Electrophysiological responses of medial prefrontal cortex to feedback at different levels of hierarchy

Recent advances in computational reinforcement learning suggest that humans and animals can learn from different types of reinforcers in a hierarchically organised fashion. According to this theoretical framework, while humans learn to coordinate subroutines based on external reinforcers such as food rewards, simple actions within those subroutines are reinforced by an internal reinforcer called a pseudo-reward. Although the neural mechanisms underlying these processes are unknown, recent empirical evidence suggests that the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) is involved. To elucidate this issue, we measured a component of the human event-related brain potential, called the reward positivity, that is said to reflect a reward prediction error signal generated in the MPFC. Using a task paradigm involving reinforcers at two levels of hierarchy, we show that reward positivity amplitude is sensitive to the valence of low-level pseudo-rewards but, contrary to our expectation, is not modulated by high-level rewards. Further, reward positivity amplitude to low-level feedback is modulated by the goals of the higher level. These results, which were further replicated in a control experiment, suggest that the MPFC is involved in the processing of rewards at multiple levels of hierarchy.

Представление архивной информации о ликвидации последствий радиационных аварий на интернет-портале

Purpose: To describe the historical experience of overcoming the consequences of radiation accidents for the environment, and also to enable the remote user independently obtain data on the radiation contamination of areas through the Internet-portal implemented within the Interdepartmental Information System on the issues of radiation safety and radiation problems.
 Material and methods: Specialists have collected a large volume of information obtained during expedition inspections of contaminated areas, starting in 1986 – the moment of the radiation accident at the Chernobyl NPP – and ending with 2015 (the year of the 30th anniversary of the accident), an array of paper official documents of different levels of hierarchy (departmental, interdepartmental, governmental). The Catalog of documents is composed in such a way that at each level one can get acquainted with the list of documents, with the meta-description of documents, with the original scanned source document (by reference given in the meta description).The scientific task of creating an information system, containing archival information, included the development of two groups of criteria for selecting information. All information was firstly analyzed by experts on two criteria: openness (a status that does not currently have restrictions on publication) and historical affiliation. The documents of this group include information from 1986 up to 2012. Then the criteria for assigning information to a particular group were developed. 
 Results: This work, for the first time, enables the remote user to obtain reliable data on radiation contamination independently. The user can know the years of the first and last inspection of the selected settlement, average density of cesium-137 contamination in the year of interest, as well as information on the number of samples taken in the year of interest. All data on the content of 137Cs obtained at different times are recalculated to the indicated single date (as of January 1 of each year), taking into account the correction for the radioactive decay of this radionuclide. In addition, the user can find out in the zone of which pollution category, approved by the Government List, is the locality indicated by the user. 
 Conclusion: Thus, the approach of presenting information on a specialized Internet-portal allows us to consider it as a tool for analyzing decisions taken. This approach allowed us to see the overall picture of efforts to overcome the consequences of a radiation accident. In the case of large scale radiation accidents and the adoption of many unconventional solutions at all levels of the hierarchy, this experience available to the remote user is crucial importance. The approach to the presentation of archival information on the overcome of the consequences of radiation accidents through Internet-portal showed the urgency of presenting the efforts of management, specialists and various services to overcome the consequences of such accidents with the help of a systematic array of historical documents. The users’ appeals to the Internet-portal through page of Rosgydromet are recorded in the Journal of events. It tells about the expediency of this work. Address of electronic archive is following: http://rb.mchs.gov.ru/rosgidromet/Archive. The link of reference services is following: http://rb.mchs.gov.ru/rosgidromet/rg_spravochnie_uslugi.

Use of the theory of central places for the improvement of the administrative-territorial device of the Kharkiv region

The article applies the provisions of the theory of the central places of V. Kristaller for constructing a model of the system of settlements of the Kharkiv region with the aim of increasing the efficiency of the existing settlement system. Based on the existing administrative-territorial structure, according to which the focus of different levels of hierarchy are the cities of regional and regional importance. In addition, the hierarchy coefficients are determined for the location of the districts of the Kharkiv region. It was found out that the most convenient geographical location is occupied by Kharkiv, Balaklia, Zmiyiv, Pervomaisky and Chuguevsky districts, the less convenient is the Dvorichansky district. It is determined that the main administrative center and the largest city of the region is Kharkiv. Among other large cities are Lozova, Kupyansk, Krasnograd, Vovchansk, Barvinkovo, Bogodukhiv. These cities form a hexagon around Kharkiv. To choose the optimal variant of the regionalization of the Kharkiv region, the calculation of the index of the measure of dissimilarity was used. The optimal result of the division of the Kharkiv region includes 10 districts with centers in the cities of Kharkiv, Balaklia, Barvinkovo, Bogodukhiv, Vovchansk, Izyum, Krasnograd, Kupyansk, Lozova, Pervomaisky. After the application of the Kristaller grid, the calculation of the index of the measure of dissimilarity for the Kharkiv region showed a value close to the average, which indicates the optimality of the model. The proposed model of a system of settlements can be used to improve the administrative and territorial structure of the Kharkiv region. The linkage of the proposed model with the decentralization reform implemented in Ukraine and, in particular, in the Kharkiv region, showed that the location of the network of joint territorial communities is very uneven in the allocated areas.

Application of the analytic hierarchy process to sustainability of water supply and sanitation services: the case of Algeria

Abstract The aim of this paper is to develop a methodological tool for comprehensive evaluation of sustainability of water supply and sanitation services (WSSs) considering all quantitative and qualitative effective factors using the analytic hierarchy process. The proposed method has a significant advantage that determines which aspects have more priority and which ones are less important; hence, it gives a very good guideline for planning and implementation of a country's projects for sustainable development in WSSs. Additionally, the application of the proposed method is shown for Algeria as a case study. six dimensions, 12 criteria and 50 indicators were defined as three different levels of hierarchy for this purpose. Moreover, the matrices of pairwise comparisons were obtained by judgments of 12 experts in different involved fields including policy makers, managers and scientists. According to the results, the most important dimensions were economic (38.3%) and technical (26.1%) aspects. Furthermore, the financial autonomy (18.7%) and technical performance (18.4%) had the highest and transparency (2%) and organization (2.8%) had the lowest weights among all criteria. In addition, indicators with a high overall weight are: operation and maintenance cost, grand balanced budget, reliability, small budget balance, opportunity cost and state subsidy rates for investments.

Spinning Hierarchical Gold Nanowire Microfibers by Shear Alignment and Intermolecular Self-Assembly.

Hierarchical structures lend strength to natural fibers made of soft nanoscale building blocks. Intermolecular interactions connect the components at different levels of hierarchy, distribute stresses, and guarantee structural integrity under load. Here, we show that synthetic ultrathin gold nanowires with interacting ligand shells can be spun into biomimetic, free-standing microfibers. A solution spinning process first aligns the wires, then lets their ligand shells interact, and finally converts them into a hierarchical superstructure. The resulting fiber contained 80 vol % organic ligand but was strong enough to be removed from the solution, dried, and mechanically tested. Fiber strength depended on the wire monomer alignment. Shear in the extrusion nozzle was systematically changed to obtain process-structure-property relations. The degree of nanowire alignment changed breaking stresses by a factor of 1.25 and the elongation at break by a factor of 2.75. Plasma annealing of the fiber to form a solid metal shell decreased the breaking stress by 65%.

Using Bayesian Model Averaging to Analyse Hierarchical Health Data: model implementation and application to linked health service use data

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe majority of standard coding systems applied to health data are hierarchical: they start with several major categories and then each category is broken into subcategories across multiple levels. Running statistical models on these datasets, may lead to serious methodological challenges such as multicollinearity between levels or selecting suboptimal models as model space grows exponentially by adding each new level. The aim of this presentation is to introduce an analytical framework that addresses this challenge. ApproachData was from individuals who claimed Transport Accident Commission (TAC) compensation for motor vehicle accidents that occurred between 2010 and 2012 in the state of Victoria, Australia and provided consent for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) linkage (n=738). PBS and MBS records dating from 12 months prior to injury were provided by the Department of Human Services (Canberra, Australia). Pre-injury use of health service items and pharmaceuticals were considered to indicate pre-existing health conditions. Both MBS and PBS listings have a hierarchical structure. The outcome was the cost of recovery; this was also hierarchical across four level (e.g. total, medical, consultations, and specialist). A Bayesian Model Averaging model was embedded into a data mining framework which automatically created all the cost outcomes and selected the best model after penalizing for multicollinearity. The model was run across multiple prior settings to ensure robustness. Monash University’s High Performance Computing Cluster was used for running approximately 5000 final models.ResultsThe framework successfully identified variables at different levels of hierarchy as indicators of pre-existing conditions that affect cost of recovery. For example, according to the results, on average, patients who received prescription pain or mental health related medication before the injury had 31.2% higher short-term and 36.9% higher long-term total recovery cost. For every anaesthetic in the year before the accident, post-injury hospital cost increased by 24%, for patients with anxiety it increased by 35.4%. For post-injury medical costs, every prescription of drugs used in diabetes (Category A10 in ATC) increased the cost by 8%, long term medical costs were affected by both pain and mental health. ConclusionBayesian model averaging provides a robust framework for mining hierarchically linked health data helping researchers to identify potential associations which may not have been discovered using conventional technique and also preventing them from identifying associations that are sporadic but not robust.

Charge transport in activated carbon electrodes: the behaviour of three electrolytes vis-à-vis their specific conductance

In this study, the electrochemical performances of different aqueous electrolytes (6 M KOH, 2 M KCl and 0.5 M K2SO4) in activated carbon electrodes are evaluated with regard to their use in electrochemical double layer capacitor (EDLC). The results from cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were analysed. The lowest value of equivalent series resistance (ESR) and the highest values of specific capacitance and coulombic efficiency were observed, when KOH was the electrolyte. The impedance spectroscopy plots were fitted to an equivalent circuit of ladder type to evaluate the resistances to ion transport at different levels of hierarchies in the pore network. Also, the quality of the double layer capacitance at lower hierarchy that primarily contributes to the overall capacitance of the device was evaluated from the leakage resistance in the equivalent circuit. The fitted circuit parameters were further reviewed vis-a-vis the specific conductance of chosen electrolyte, and the number of successive charge–discharge cycles prior to the EIS measurements.

Parametric synthesis of assembly device for fitting rubber sealing ring into the inner groove of the basic item

On the basis of the block diagram of the assembly device technological system a group of morphological matrices of various hierarchy levels may be built. The analysis of the engineering system “ the assembly device for assembly Seal of connections ” is manufactured. The structure of the engineering system and e ё of units at different hierarchical levels is defined, the links between subsystems are detected. On the basis of the skeleton diagram of the assembly device the group of morphological matrixes, different levels of hierarchy is constructed. The synthesis of variants of structure of the assembly device is manufactured.

Modular structurality and emergent functionality within knowledge representation systems

There are various approaches to ontology metamodelling, and the notion of biologically inspired modular knowledge representation systems can provide insight in the workings of such phenomena as emergent properties of network structures. What is more relevant from knowledge engineering standpoint, such approach could provide innovation and enhancement of the level of expression as well as overall functionality of modular ontologies. To do so, one needs to find biological structures that would be the basis for modularity on different levels of hierarchy within the artificial system. Network analysis tools as well as systems biology and biocomputing provide a framework for research in this field.

Different roles of the small GTPases Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoG in CALEB/NGC-induced dendritic tree complexity.

Rho GTPases play prominent roles in the regulation of cytoskeletal reorganization. Many aspects have been elaborated concerning the individual functions of Rho GTPases in distinct signaling pathways leading to cytoskeletal rearrangements. However, major questions have yet to be answered regarding the integration and the signaling hierarchy of different Rho GTPases in regulating the cytoskeleton in fundamental physiological events like neuronal process differentiation. Here, we investigate the roles of the small GTPases Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoG in defining dendritic tree complexity stimulated by the transmembrane epidermal growth factor family member CALEB/NGC. Combining gain-of-function and loss-of-function analysis in primary hippocampal neurons, we find that Rac1 is essential for CALEB/NGC-mediated dendritic branching. Cdc42 reduces the complexity of dendritic trees. Interestingly, we identify the palmitoylated isoform of Cdc42 to adversely affect dendritic outgrowth and dendritic branching, whereas the prenylated Cdc42 isoform does not. In contrast to Rac1, CALEB/NGC and Cdc42 are not directly interconnected in regulating dendritic tree complexity. Unlike Rac1, the Rac1-related GTPase RhoG reduces the complexity of dendritic trees by acting upstream of CALEB/NGC. Mechanistically, CALEB/NGC activates Rac1, and RhoG reduces the amount of CALEB/NGC that is located at the right site for Rac1 activation at the cell membrane. Thus, Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoG perform very specific and non-redundant functions at different levels of hierarchy in regulating dendritic tree complexity induced by CALEB/NGC. Rho GTPases play a prominent role in dendritic branching. CALEB/NGC is a transmembrane member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family that mediates dendritic branching, dependent on Rac1. CALEB/NGC stimulates Rac1 activity. RhoG inhibits CALEB/NGC-mediated dendritic branching by decreasing the amount of CALEB/NGC at the plasma membrane. Palmitoylated, but not prenylated form of the GTPase Cdc42 decreases dendritic branching. CALEB/NGC and Cdc42 are not directly interconnected in regulating dendritic branching. Thus, CALEB/NGC organizes a Rho GTPase signaling module at the plasma membrane for shaping dendritic trees.

New Maritime Alliances and Competition in a New Economic Environment

The recent creation of transport and information networks opens up two new and outstanding options: the interconnection of the economic areas and a new mediation between offer and demand in shipping. In this document the different ways of organization adopted by shipping companies were reviewed; their agreements, alliances, mergers and acquisitions, so as to determine the different levels of hierarchy among them. Secondly, a new port classification was proposed in accordance with the structure and development of shipping companies, together with the degree of port specialization within the framework of the recent spatial integration.

Co-create with stakeholders: Action research approach in service development

This paper promotes the value of including many stakeholders in service development. The experience of co-creative service development is examined through the lens of action research. Engaging multiple stakeholders in face-to-face, in simultaneous joint activities, from various organisations, with different levels of hierarchy, and dissimilar positions, may increase the diversification through the broadness of the information, knowledge, and experiences, and increase the amount, and quality of the development suggestions. This paper is an attempt to tell the story of action research, and how it was applied to increase the understanding of the usefulness of multiple stakeholders in service development. Outcomes of a research project are presented. The paper ends with discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of the conducted research.

A Novel Energy Efficient Clustering Mechanism in Wireless Sensor Network

The area of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is one of the emerging and fast growing fields in the scientific world. This has brought about developing low cost, low-power and multi-function sensor nodes. However, the major fact that sensor nodes run out of energy quickly has been an issue and many energy efficient routing protocols have been proposed to solve this problem and preserve the longevity of the network. This is the reason why routing techniques in wireless sensor network focus mainly on the accomplishment of power conservation. Most of the recent publications have shown so many protocols mainly designed to minimize energy consumption in sensor networks. This paper proposes a hierarchical routing technique which shows energy efficiency. Our technique selects cluster head with highest residual energy in each communication round of transmission and also takes into account, the shortest distance to the base station from the cluster heads. Simulation results show that hierarchical routing technique with different level of hierarchy prolongs the lifetime of the network compared to other clustering scheme and the energy residual mean value after some communication rounds of simulation increases significantly.