Zaller-Deffuant model of mass opinion

Recent formulation of the Zaller model of mass opinion is generalized to include the interaction between agents. The mechanism of interaction is close to the bounded confidence model. The outcome of the simulation is the probability distribution of opinions on a given issue as dependent on the mental capacity of agents. Former result was that a small capacity leads to a strong belief. Here we show that an intensive interaction between agents also leads to a consensus, accepted without doubts.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures (in 23 eps files), RevTeX

Zaller-Deffuant Model of Mass Opinion

Recent formulation of the Zaller model of mass opinion is generalized to include the interaction between agents. The mechanism of interaction is close to the bounded confidence model. The outcome of the simulation is the probability distribution of opinions on a given issue as dependent on the mental capacity of agents. Former result was that a small capacity leads to a strong belief. Here we show that an intensive interaction between agents also leads to a consensus, accepted without doubts.Mass Opinion; Computer Simulations; Social Networks;

How many parameters to model states of mind ?

A series of examples of computational models is provided, where the model aim is to interpret numerical results in terms of internal states of agents minds. Two opposite strategies or research can be distinguished in the literature. First is to reproduce the richness and complexity of real world as faithfully as possible, second is to apply simple assumptions and check the results in depth. As a rule, the results of the latter method agree only qualitatively with some stylized facts. The price we pay for more detailed predictions within the former method is that consequences of the rich set of underlying assumptions remain unchecked. Here we argue that for computational reasons, complex models with many parameters are less suitable.Comment: 5 pages, no figures; Proceedings 27th European Conference on Modelling and Simulation ECMS Webjorn Rekdalsbakken, Robin T. Bye, Houxiang Zhang (Editors), 201

Conflict of interest policies and disclosure requirements among European Society of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Journals.

Biomedicinski časopisi prijavljivanje sukoba interesa (COI ・prema engl. conflict of interest) koriste kako bi jamčili vjerodostojnost i transparentnost znanstvenih postupaka. Međutim,časopisi se s prijavljivanjem COI ne bave niti sistematski niti dosljedno. Nedavna zajednička nastojanja urednika su utrla put prema implementaciji jedinstvenih načina prijave COI. Ovaj dokument prža sveobuhvatni urednički stav o klasičnim problemima vezanim za COI. Raspravlja se o novim uvidima u trenutne COI smjernice i prakse nacionalnih kardiovaskularnih časopisa Europskog kardiološkog društva koji su izvedeni iz presječnog anketnog istraživanja primjenom standardiziranog upitnika.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest (COI) is used by biomedical journals to guarantee credibility and transparency of the scientific process. COI disclosure, however, is not systematically nor consistently dealt with by journals. Recent joint editorial efforts paved the way towards the implementation of uniform vehicles for COI disclosure. This paper provides a comprehensive editorial perspective on classical COI-related issues. New insights into current COI policies and practices among European Society of Cardiology national cardiovascular journals, as derived from a cross-sectional survey using a standardised questionnaire, are discussed

Políticas de conflito de interesses e exigências para divulgação em Revistas Científicas de Cardiologia Nacionais da Sociedade Europeia de Cardiologia

A divulgação de possíveis conflitos de interesses (COI) é um recurso utilizado por revistas científicas biomédicas para garantir a credibilidade e transparência do processo científico. No entanto, a divulgação de COI não constitui um foco sistemático ou consistente das revistas científicas. As recentes ações editoriais conjuntas prepararam o terreno para a implementação de veículos uniformes para a divulgação de COI. Este artigo fornece uma perspectiva editorial abrangente de questões clássicas associadas a COI. Discutem-se, ademais, perspectivas sobre as políticas e práticas atuais de COI de revistas científicas de cardiologia nacionais da Sociedade Europeia de Cardiologia, tendo como base uma pesquisa transversal utilizando um questionário padronizado

Effects of procainamide on the signal-averaged electrocardiogram in relation to the results of programmed ventricular stimulation in patients with sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia

AbstractObjectives. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (ECG) to predict the efficacy of procainamide.Background. The main role of the signal-averaged ECG has been the identification of postinfarction patients at risk of sudden death. Prediction of the efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs represents another potential clinical application of this technique.Methods. The study examined the effects of procainamide on the time domain and spectral temporal analysis of the signalaveraged ECG in relation to the results of programmed ventricular stimulation studies in 31 patients with inducible sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia.Results. Procainamide significantly prolonged the total and the initial QRS complex and low amplitude signal durations (mean ± SD135 ± 30 vs. 161 ± 46 ms, p < 0.0001; 87 ± 16 vs. 98 ± 20 ms, p < 0.0001, and 48 ± 23 vs. 63 ± 36 ms, p < 0.001, respectively) whereas the root-mean-square voltage of the total QRS complex and of the last 40 ms of the QRS complex was significantly reduced (mean ± SD 112 ± 36 vs. 87 ± 36 μV, p < 0.0001; 21 ± 19 vs. 13 ± 12 μV, p < 0.002, respectively). The results of spectral temporal mapping of the signal-averaged ECG were similar before and after procainamide administration. Procainamide prevented the inducibility of sustained ventricular tachycardia or prolonged the cycle length of ventricular tachycardia by ≥100 ms in 16 patients (52%) (responders). The fractional prolongation of the total QRS duration was significantly greater in responders (26 ± 15%) than in nonresponders (10 ± 10%) (p < 0.002) and, when this prolongation was ≥15%, identified responders with a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 87% and an overall predictive accuracy of 90%.Conclusions. The effects of procainamide on inducibility of ventricular tachycardia during programmed ventricular stimulation can be predicted by the degree of drug-induced prolongation of the signal-averaged QRS complex