Community-based software tools to support participatory modelling: A vision

Environmental management depends on analysis of complex dynamics and spatial relationships of ecological and socio-economic systems. Modelling, when used to conduct such analyses, is recognized as an effective decision support tool in environmental management. Modelling conducted in a participatory fashion, involving stakeholders in various stages of model building and data processing has evolved as an efficient method for conflict resolution and decision-making. However, successful participatory modelling efforts require specific software and computer tools that are not available or accessible for stakeholders. There is a clear need for specialized modelling and data processing infrastructure that would allow comprehensive environmental simulations, based on limited computer programming skills, computer power, and data availability. We are developing a software framework of model and data modules to enable various stakeholders to tap into the recent and ongoing advances in environmental modelling, and high-quality data available on the Internet. The proposed framework would allow managers and planners to run simulations of policy scenarios and utilize state-of-the-art algorithms to develop and evaluate policy alternatives. The web-based modelling framework is based on the following components: A web-based domain-specific interface which facilitates the development, configuration, and execution of models applicable to region-specific watershed issues; A data-finder and transformer unique to the landscape modelling framework that lever-ages relevant Open GIS catalogue, RDF, and GRID resource discovery standards; A module composer that uses a module pool and guided composition of modules based on expert rules, which are either automatically acquired or input from human users, to guide the simulation-modelling process; and A semi-automatic model calibrator and verifier to deliver high quality simulation models. The framework's core components, i.e. model composition, data finder, and geospatial data processing, serve the needs of a wide range of applications. The framework should be designed to be configurable for multiple domain specific user groups, enabling applications as diverse as agricultural forecast, real estate market analysis, transportation planning, etc

Risk for Major Bleeding in Patients Receiving Ticagrelor Compared With Aspirin After Transient Ischemic Attack or Acute Ischemic Stroke in the SOCRATES Study (Acute Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Treated With Aspirin or Ticagrelor and Patient Outcomes)

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