Razvoj programske podrške zasnovane na modelu za simulacije diskretnih sustava — koncepti i primjeri

Model-driven software development (MDSD) is a current direction in software engineering that underlines the importance of models in contrast to program code. Since models have always been of central importance in simulation, some aspects of MDSD are especially helpful to support discrete event simulation (DES) studies. In this paper a case study concerning the development of an MDSD-compliant domain architecture for DES is presented. This includes code generation facilities for the object oriented simulation framework DESMO-J based on a new UML profile for DES and using techniques and tools from MDSD. On the basis of these experiences a discussion about general prospects and drawbacks of applying MDSD to the development of simulation models as well as interactive simulation tools is lead. A modeling cycle for building simulation studies that makes the use of model-driven techniques possible is proposed.Razvoj programske podrške zasnovane na modelu (MDSD) postaje prevladavajuća paradigma u programskom inženjerstvu. Kako su modeli uvijek imali središnju ulogu u simulacijama, neki su aspekti na modelu zasnovanog razvoja programske podrške od posebno velike pomoći pri simulacijama diskretnih sustava (DES). U ovome se radu opisuje primjer razvoja arhitekture za DES po MDSD konceptu. To uključuje generiranje koda za objektno orijentirani simulacijski okvir DESMO-J zasnovan na novom UML profilu za DES te korištenje tehnika i alata za MDSD. Na osnovi primjera, razmatrani su opće prednosti i nedostaci primjene MDSD za razvoj simulacijskih modela i interaktivnih simulacijskih alata. Predložen je modelski ciklus za simulacijske studije koji omogućuje primjenu navedenih na modelu zasnovanih tehnika

Cormas, une plate-forme multi-agent pour concevoir collectivement des modèles et interagir avec les simulations

International audienceCe document présente les nouvelles fonctionnalités de Cormas, une plate-forme de modélisation multi-agent dédiée à la gestion des ressources renouvelables. Logiciel libre, Cormas vise à concevoir facilement un SMA et analyser des scénarios. Aujourd'hui, Cormas a pris une direction novatrice orientée vers la conception collective de modèles et la simulation interactive. Ces simulations hybrides mixent des décisions prises par les joueurs et d'autres par le modèle. Cela permet d'interagir avec une simulation en modifiant le comportement des agents et la façon dont ils utilisent les ressources. Ainsi, il est possible d'explorer collectivement des scénarios à moyen et long terme afin de mieux comprendre comment atteindre une situation souhaitée. En retour, cela permet de réviser collectivement le modèle conceptuel. Après avoir expliqué la philosophie de la modélisation d'accompagnement, ce document présente la façon dont les fonctionnalités de Cormas sont appliquées à travers trois expériences. Abstract This paper presents the new functionalities of Cormas, a multi-agent modeling platform dedicated to the management of renewable resources. As free software, Cormas is intended to facilitate the design of ABM as well as the monitoring and analysis of simulation scenarios. Today Cormas has taken an innovative direction oriented towards the collective design of models and interactive simulation. These hybrid simulations are mixing decisions taken by stakeholders and others by the model. This allows the user to interact with a simulation by changing the behavior of agents. Thus, it is possible to collectively explore medium and long-term scenarios to better understand how a desired situation may be reached. In turn, this feed back into the collective design of the model. After having explained the philosophy of the companion modeling, this paper presents how the Cormas functionalities are put into practice through three experiments with stakeholders facing actual environmental challenges

Adaptation of the DEMQOL-Proxy for routine use in care homes: a cross sectional study of the reliability and validity of DEMQOL-CH

Objective: To investigate the routine use of a measure of quality of life (QoL) in care homes and assess its psychometric properties when used by care staff Design: A cross-sectional two-phase study. Setting and participants: Data were collected from care staff in seven care homes in East Sussex, England. Method: Phase 1: The ability of care staff from two care homes to use the DEMQOL-Proxy without interviewer-administration was assessed using agreement analysis between a selfand interviewer-administered version of the instrument. Based on these findings, DEMQOLProxy was adapted into a new version, DEMQOL-CH, for use as a self-administered instrument in care homes. We assessed agreement between the new DEMQOL-CH and DEMQOL-Proxy to ensure DEMQOL-CH was used correctly. Phase 2: A preliminary assessment of the psychometric properties of DEMQOL-CH when used routinely was completed in a further five care homes. Results: Phase 1: Nineteen care staff from two care homes completed QoL measurements for residents. Systematic error was identified when staff self-completed the DEMQOL-Proxy without an interviewer. We modified the DEMQOL-Proxy to create DEMQOL-CH; this reduced the error, producing a version that could be used more accurately by care staff. Phase 2: Eleven care staff from five care homes rated resident QoL routinely. DEMQOL-CH showed acceptable psychometric properties with satisfactory reliability and validity and a clear factor structure. Conclusions: The research presents positive preliminary data on the acceptability, feasibility and performance of routine QoL measurement in care homes using an adapted version of DEMQOL-Proxy, the DEMQOL-CH. Results provide evidence to support the concept that routine measurement of QoL may be possible in care homes. Research is needed to refine and test the methodology and instrument further, and to explore the potential for benefits to residents, staff, and care homes in larger and more representative populations

Psychometric properties and feasibility of use of dementia specific quality of life instruments for use in care settings: a systematic review

Background: Over 400,000 people live in care home settings in the UK. One way of understanding and improving the quality of care provided is by measuring and understanding the quality of life (QoL) of those living in care homes. This review aimed to identify and examine the psychometric properties including feasibility of use of dementia-specific QoL measures developed or validated for use in care settings. Design: Systematic review. Methods: Instruments were identified using four electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINAHL) and lateral search techniques. Searches were conducted in January 2017. Studies which reported on the development and/or validation of dementia specific QoL instruments for use in care settings written in English were eligible for inclusion. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the COSMIN checklist. Feasibility was assessed using a checklist developed specifically for the review. Results: Six hundred and sixteen articles were identified in the initial search. After de-duplication, screening and further lateral searches were performed, 25 studies reporting on 9 dementia-specific QoL instruments for use in care home settings were included in the review. Limited evidence was available on the psychometric properties of many instruments identified. Higher-quality instruments were not easily accessible or had low feasibility of use. Conclusions: Few high-quality instruments of QoL validated for use in care home settings are readily or freely available. This review highlights the need to develop a well-validated measure of QoL for use within care homes that is also feasible and accessible

Replicating viral vector platform exploits alarmin signals for potent CD8+ T cell-mediated tumour immunotherapy

Viral infections lead to alarmin release and elicit potent cytotoxic effector T lymphocyte (CTLeff) responses. Conversely, the induction of protective tumour-specific CTLeff and their recruitment into the tumour remain challenging tasks. Here we show that lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) can be engineered to serve as a replication competent, stably-attenuated immunotherapy vector (artLCMV). artLCMV delivers tumour-associated antigens to dendritic cells for efficient CTL priming. Unlike replication-deficient vectors, artLCMV targets also lymphoid tissue stroma cells expressing the alarmin interleukin-33. By triggering interleukin-33 signals, artLCMV elicits CTLeff responses of higher magnitude and functionality than those induced by replication-deficient vectors. Superior anti-tumour efficacy of artLCMV immunotherapy depends on interleukin-33 signalling, and a massive CTLeff influx triggers an inflammatory conversion of the tumour microenvironment. Our observations suggest that replicating viral delivery systems can release alarmins for improved anti-tumour efficacy. These mechanistic insights may outweigh safety concerns around replicating viral vectors in cancer immunotherapy

Understanding the quality of life of family carers of people with dementia: development of a new conceptual framework

Background Dementia is a major global health and social care challenge, and family carers are a vital determinant of positive outcomes for people with dementia. This study's aim was to develop a conceptual framework for the Quality of Life (QOL) of family carers of people with dementia. Methods We studied family carers of people with dementia and staff working in dementia services iteratively using in‐depth individual qualitative interviews and focus groups discussions. Analysis used constant comparison techniques underpinned by a collaborative approach with a study‐specific advisory group of family carers. Results We completed 41 individual interviews with 32 family carers and nine staff and two focus groups with six family carers and five staff. From the analysis, we identified 12 themes that influenced carer QOL. These were organised into three categories focussing on person with dementia, carer, and external environment. Conclusions For carers of people with dementia, the QOL construct was found to include condition‐specific domains which are not routinely considered in generic assessment of QOL. This has implications for researchers, policy makers, and service providers in addressing and measuring QOL in family carers of people with dementia