Agent Street: An Environment for Exploring Agent-Based Models in Second Life

Urban models can be seen on a continuum between iconic and symbolic. Generally speaking, iconic models are physical versions of the real world at some scaled down representation, while symbolic models represent the system in terms of the way they function replacing the physical or material system by some logical and/or mathematical formulae. Traditionally iconic and symbolic models were distinct classes of model but due to the rise of digital computing the distinction between the two is becoming blurred, with symbolic models being embedded into iconic models. However, such models tend to be single user. This paper demonstrates how 3D symbolic models in the form of agent-based simulations can be embedded into iconic models using the multi-user virtual world of Second Life. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates Second Life\'s potential for social science simulation. To demonstrate this, we first introduce Second Life and provide two exemplar models; Conway\'s Game of Life, and Schelling\'s Segregation Model which highlight how symbolic models can be viewed in an iconic environment. We then present a simple pedestrian evacuation model which merges the iconic and symbolic together and extends the model to directly incorporate avatars and agents in the same environment illustrating how \'real\' participants can influence simulation outcomes. Such examples demonstrate the potential for creating highly visual, immersive, interactive agent-based models for social scientists in multi-user real time virtual worlds. The paper concludes with some final comments on problems with representing models in current virtual worlds and future avenues of research.Agent-Based Modelling, Pedestrian Evacuation, Segregation, Virtual Worlds, Second Life

Evaluation of containers as a virtualisation alternative for HEP workloads

In this paper the emerging technology of Linux containers is examined and evaluated for use in the High Energy Physics (HEP) community. Key technologies required to enable containerisation will be discussed along with emerging technologies used to manage container images. An evaluation of the requirements for containers within HEP will be made and benchmarking will be carried out to asses performance over a range of HEP workflows. The use of containers will be placed in a broader context and recommendations on future work will be given

Objective measurement of cough frequency during COPD exacerbation convalescence

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cough and sputum production are associated with adverse outcomes in COPD and are common during COPD exacerbation (AE-COPD). This study of objective cough monitoring using the Hull Automated Cough Counter and Leicester Cough Monitor software confirms that this system has the ability to detect a significant decrease in cough frequency during AE-COPD convalescence. The ability to detect clinically meaningful change indicates a potential role in home monitoring of COPD patients

Continuous cough monitoring using ambient sound recording during convalescence from a COPD exacerbation

Purpose Cough is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with frequent exacerbations and increased mortality. Cough increases during acute exacerbations (AE-COPD), representing a possible metric of clinical deterioration. Conventional cough monitors accurately report cough counts over short time periods. We describe a novel monitoring system which we used to record cough continuously for up to 45 days during AE-COPD convalescence. Methods This is a longitudinal, observational study of cough monitoring in AE-COPD patients discharged from a single teaching-hospital. Ambient sound was recorded from two sites in the domestic environment and analysed using novel cough classifier software. For comparison, the validated hybrid HACC/LCM cough monitoring system was used on days 1, 5, 20 and 45. Patients were asked to record symptoms daily using diaries. Results Cough monitoring data were available for 16 subjects with a total of 568 monitored days. Daily cough count fell significantly from mean±SEM 272.7±54.5 on day 1 to 110.9±26.3 on day 9 (p<0.01) before plateauing. The absolute cough count detected by the continuous monitoring system was significantly lower than detected by the hybrid HACC/LCM system but normalised counts strongly correlated (r=0.88, p<0.01) demonstrating an ability to detect trends. Objective cough count and subjective cough scores modestly correlated (r=0.46). Conclusions Cough frequency declines significantly following AE-COPD and the reducing trend can be detected using continuous ambient sound recording and novel cough classifier software. Objective measurement of cough frequency has the potential to enhance our ability to monitor the clinical state in patients with COPD

Group-based pulmonary telerehabilitation is feasible, safe, beneficial and well-received in patients that have been hospitalised with Covid-19

Introduction Covid-19 has caused worldwide mass hospitalisation. The need for multi-disciplinary post-hospitalisation rehabilitation is becoming increasingly apparent and telerehabilitation has been endorsed. The aim of study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of pulmonary telerehabilitation for Covid-19 survivors.Methods A single centre, mixed-methods, fast-track (wait-list), randomised controlled trial of telerehabilitation for patients who have been hospitalised with Covid-19.Participants Forty patients discharged from two University Teaching Hospitals in the North of England. Interventions: Telerehabilitation consisted of twelve exercise classes, six education events and opportunity for peer support. Patients commenced telerehabilitation 14 days after randomisation in the fast-track group and 56 days after randomisation in the wait-list group.Outcome measures and results Descriptive and statistical improvements were noted is several clinical outcome measures. Exercise capacity increased from a median (Q1–Q3) 20 (14–24) sit-to-stand repetitions in one-minute at baseline to 25 (24–30) post-telerehabilitation. Breathlessness rated using the MRC changed from 3.5 (3–4) at baseline to 2 (1.5–3) post-telerehabilitation, with additional favourable outcomes noted in respiratory symptoms measured using numerical rating scales and visual analogue scales (VAS). Quality of life measured using the EQ-VAS improved from 55 (60–70) units at baseline to 70 (55–80) units following telerehabilitation. Improvements in fatigue (FACIT-F) and mood (HADS-D) were also observed. Natural recovery was observed in the wait-list group prior to receiving telerehabilitation, however, improvements were accelerated by early telerehabilitation in the fast-track group.Conclusions We have shown that group-based telerehabilitation is feasible, safe, beneficial and well-received in this population

NMR Methods for Determining Lipid Turnover via Stable Isotope Resolved Metabolomics

Lipids comprise diverse classes of compounds that are important for the structure and properties of membranes, as high-energy fuel sources and as signaling molecules. Therefore, the turnover rates of these varied classes of lipids are fundamental to cellular function. However, their enormous chemical diversity and dynamic range in cells makes detailed analysis very complex. Furthermore, although stable isotope tracers enable the determination of synthesis and degradation of complex lipids, the numbers of distinguishable molecules increase enormously, which exacerbates the problem. Although LC-MS-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry) is the standard for lipidomics, NMR can add value in global lipid analysis and isotopomer distributions of intact lipids. Here, we describe new developments in NMR analysis for assessing global lipid content and isotopic enrichment of mixtures of complex lipids for two cell lines (PC3 and UMUC3) using both 13C6 glucose and 13C5 glutamine tracers

A conceptual model for the integration of social and ecological information to understand human-wildlife interactions

There is growing recognition that interdisciplinary approaches that account for both ecological and social processes are necessary to successfully address human-wildlife interactions. However, such approaches are hindered by challenges in aligning data types, communicating across disciplines, and applying social science information to conservation actions. To meet these challenges, we propose a conceptual model that adopts a social-ecological systems approach and integrates social and ecological theory to identify the multiple, nested levels of influence on both human and animal behavior. By accounting for a diverse array of influences and feedback mechanisms between social and ecological systems, this model fulfills a need for approaches that treat social and ecological processes with equal depth and facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the drivers of human and animal behaviors that perpetuate human-wildlife interactions. We apply this conceptual model to our work on human-black bear conflicts in Colorado, USA to demonstrate its utility. Using this example, we identify key lessons and offer guidance to researchers and conservation practitioners for applying integrated approaches to other human-wildlife systems

Telerehabilitation for patients who have been hospitalised with covid-19: a qualitative study

PurposeThe aim of this qualitative study was to explore the views of participants of a group-based, supervised, telerehabilitation programme, following discharge from hospital with Covid-19. This study was part of a single-centre, fast-track (wait-list), randomised, mixed-methods, feasibility trial of telerehabilitation (Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov reference:285205).MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted over a virtual teleconference platform with 10 participants who took part in a telerehabilitation programme following Covid-19 after discharge from an acute hospital. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFive themes were important from the participant perspective: telerehabilitation programme as part of the Covid-19 journey; the telerehabilitation programme design and delivery; peer aspects; the role of the instructor; and the role of technology and online delivery.ConclusionsOverall, the telerehabilitation programme was a positive experience for participants. The instructors were central to this positive view as was the group nature of the programme. The group aspect was particularly important in supporting the broader perceived wellbeing gains, such as the sense of enjoyment and reduced social isolation. Several participants would have liked to have continued with the exercises beyond the six-week intervention indicating that the programme could be a way to help people sustain a physically active lifestyle.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONParticipants who were recovering from Covid-19 following hospital admission perceived the telerehabilitation to be a positive experience overall.The group aspect of the telerehabilitation programme was important in supporting the broader perceived wellbeing gains such as the sense of enjoyment and reduced social isolation.Telerehabilitation programmes for Covid-19 may need to include pathways for participants to continue to engage in exercise beyond the time-limited six-week intervention to support ongoing self-management

Sediment structure and physicochemical changes following tidal inundation at a large open coast managed realignment site

Managed realignment (MR) schemes are being implemented to compensate for the loss of intertidal saltmarsh habitats by breaching flood defences and inundating the formerly defended coastal hinterland. However, studies have shown that MR sites have lower biodiversity than anticipated, which has been linked with anoxia and poor drainage resulting from compaction and the collapse of sediment pore space caused by the site's former terrestrial land use. Despite this proposed link between biodiversity and soil structure, the evolution of the sediment sub-surface following site inundation has rarely been examined, particularly over the early stages of the terrestrial to marine or estuarine transition. This paper presents a novel combination of broad- and intensive-scale analysis of the sub-surface evolution of the Medmerry Managed Realignment Site (West Sussex, UK) in the three years following site inundation. Repeated broad-scale sediment physiochemical datasets are analysed to assess the early changes in the sediment subsurface and the preservation of the former terrestrial surface, comparing four locations of different former land uses. Additionally, for two of these locations, high-intensity 3D-computed X-ray microtomography and Itrax micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry analyses are presented. Results provide new data on differences in sediment properties and structure related to the former land use, indicating that increased agricultural activity leads to increased compaction and reduced porosity. The presence of anoxic conditions, indicative of poor hydrological connectivity between the terrestrial and post-inundation intertidal sediment facies, was only detected at one site. This site has experienced the highest rate of accretion over the terrestrial surface (ca. 7 cm over 36 months), suggesting that poor drainage is caused by the interaction (or lack of) between sediment facies rather than the former land use. This has significant implications for the design of future MR sites in terms of preparing sites, their anticipated evolution, and the delivery of ecosystem services