Computational Experiments for Complex Social Systems:Experiment Design and Generative Explanation

Powered by advanced information technology,more and more complex systems are exhibiting characteristics of the cyber-physical-social systems(CPSS).In this context,computational experiments method has emerged as a novel approach for the design,analysis,management,control,and integration of CPSS,which can realize the causal analysis of complex systems by means of“algorithmization”of“counterfactuals”.However,because CPSS involve human and social factors(e.g.,autonomy,initiative,and sociality),it is difficult for traditional design of experiment(DOE)methods to achieve the generative explanation of system emergence.To address this challenge,this paper proposes an integrated approach to the design of computational experiments,incorporating three key modules:1)Descriptive module:Determining the influencing factors and response variables of the system by means of the modeling of an artificial society;2)Interpretative module:Selecting factorial experimental design solution to identify the relationship between influencing factors and macro phenomena;3)Predictive module:Building a meta-model that is equivalent to artificial society to explore its operating laws.Finally,a case study of crowd-sourcing platforms is presented to illustrate the application process and effectiveness of the proposed approach,which can reveal the social impact of algorithmic behavior on“rider race”.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients in Hengyang,Hunan Province,China

BACKGROUND In December 2019,an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)was first identified in Wuhan,China.The characteristics of COVID-19 patients treated in local hospitals in Wuhan are not fully representative of patients outside Wuhan.Therefore,it is highly essential to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in areas outside Wuhan or Hubei Province.To date,a limited number of studies have concentrated on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with different genders,clinical classification,and with or without basic diseases.AIM To study the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients in Hengyang(China)and provide a reliable reference for the prevention and control of COVID-19.METHODS From January 16 to March 2,2020,a total of 48 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported in Hengyang,and those cases were included in this study.The diagnostic criteria,clinical classification,and discharge standard related to COVID-19 were in line with the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia(Trial Version 7)released by National Health Commission and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in pharyngeal swab specimens was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.All the data were imported into the excel worksheet and statistically analyzed by using SPSS 25.0 software.RESULTS A total of 48 cases of COVID-19 were collected,of which 1 was mild,38 were moderate,and 9 were severe.It was unveiled that there were 31(64.6%)male patients and 17(35.4%)female patients,with a female-to-male ratio of 1.82:1.The range of age of patients with COVID-19 was dominantly 30-49 years old[25(52.1%)of 48],followed by those aged over 60 years old[11(22.9%)].Besides,29.2%(14 of 48)of patients had basic diseases,and 57.2%(8 of 14)of patients with basic diseases were aged over 60 years old.The occupations of 48 COVID-19 patients were mainly farmers working in agricultural production[15(31.5%)of 48],rural migrant workers from Hengyang to Wuhan[15(31.5%)],and service workers operating in the service sector[8(16.7%)].The mean latent period was 6.86±3.57 d,and the median was 7[interquartile range(IQR):4-9]d.The mean time from onset of symptoms to the first physician visit was 3.38±2.98(95%CI:2.58-9.18)d,with a median of 2(IQR:1-5)d,and the mean time from hospital admission to confirmed diagnosis was 2.29±2.11(95%CI:1.18-6.42)d,with a median of 2(IQR:1-3)d.The main symptoms were fever[43(89.6%)of 48],cough and expectoration[41(85.4%)],fatigue[22(45.8%)],and chills[22(45.8%)].Other symptoms included poor appetite[13(27.1%)],sore throat[9(18.8%)],dyspnea[9(18.8%)],diarrhea[7(14.6%)],dizziness[5(10.4%)],headache[5(10.4%)],muscle pain[5(10.4%)],nausea and vomiting[4(8.3%)],hemoptysis[4(8.3%)],and runny nose[1(2.1%)].The numbers of peripheral blood leukocytes,lymphocytes,and eosinophils were significantly reduced in the majority of the patients.The levels of C-reactive protein,fibrinogen,blood glucose,lactate dehydrogenase,Ddimer,alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),gamma-glutamyl transferase(γ-GT),myoglobin(MB),and creatine kinase(CK)were increased in 64.6%,44.7%,43.2%,37.0%,29.5%,22.9%,20.8%,21.6%,13.6%,and 12.8%of patients,respectively.The incidence of ALT elevation in male patients was remarkably higher than that in females(P<0.01),while the incidences of AST,CK,and blood glucose elevations in severe patients were remarkably higher than those in moderate patients(P<0.05,respectively).Except for the mild patients,chest computed tomography showed characteristic pulmonary lesions.All the patients received antiviral drugs,38(79.2%)accepted traditional Chinese medicine,and 2(4.2%)received treatment of human umbilical-cord mesenchymal stem cells.On March 2,2020,48 patients with COVID-19 were all cured and discharged.CONCLUSION Based on our results,patients with COVID-19 often have multiple organ dysfunction or damage.The incidences of ALT elevation in males,and AST,CK,and blood glucose elevations in severe patients are remarkably higher.

Insights into the role of RNA m^(6)A modification in the metabolic process and related diseases

According to the latest consensus,many traditional diseases are considered meta-bolic diseases,such as cancer,type 2 diabetes,obesity,and cardiovascular disease.Currently,metabolic diseases are increasingly prevalent because of the ever-improving living standards and have become the leading threat to human health.Multiple therapy methods have been applied to treat these diseases,which improves the quality of life of many patients,but the overall effect is still unsatisfactory.Therefore,intensive research on the metabolic process and the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases is imperative.N6-methyladenosine(m^(6)A)is an important modification of eukaryotic RNAs.It is a critical regulator of gene expression that is involved in different cellular functions and physiological processes.Many studies have indi-cated that m^(6)A modification regulates the development of many metabolic processes and metabolic diseases.In this review,we summarized recent studies on the role of m^(6)A modifica-tion in different metabolic processes and metabolic diseases.Additionally,we highlighted the potential m^(6)A-targeted therapy for metabolic diseases,expecting to facilitate m^(6)A-targeted strategies in the treatment of metabolic diseases.

重大突发传染病时成建制重症救治团队运行模式的经验探讨

在上海抗疫最关键、最紧迫的时刻,由中南大学湘雅二医院与湖南省人民医院组建的湖南第三批援沪重症医疗队二分队为主体接管了定点医院上海中医药大学曙光西院重症病区,共救治重症患者50例,圆满完成既定医疗救治工作的同时保证了医务人员“零”感染。通过有效的“围墙”外管理实现了重症患者的早期识别和诊治,以降低重症患者的病死率。同时在短时间迅速组建了一支规范、专业、精细的重症医护一体化救治团队,高质量完成了本次重症救治工作,积累了一定的成功经验,包括重视党建工作、感控先行、与当地医院的紧密合作和重症关口前移等。本文将从多家医院多个学科临时成建制组建重症医疗团队的建设与合作、特殊环境下的高效运行及思考与探索等方面来进行介绍,以期为今后类似突发事件的救治工作提供帮助。