Discontinuity development patterns and the challenges for 3D discrete fracture network modeling on complicated exposed rock surfaces

Natural slopes usually display complicated exposed rock surfaces that are characterized by complex and substantial terrain undulation and ubiquitous undesirable phenomena such as vegetation cover and rockfalls.This study presents a systematic outcrop research of fracture pattern variations in a complicated rock slope,and the qualitative and quantitative study of the complex phenomena impact on threedimensional(3D)discrete fracture network(DFN)modeling.As the studies of the outcrop fracture pattern have been so far focused on local variations,thus,we put forward a statistical analysis of global variations.The entire outcrop is partitioned into several subzones,and the subzone-scale variability of fracture geometric properties is analyzed(including the orientation,the density,and the trace length).The results reveal significant variations in fracture characteristics(such as the concentrative degree,the average orientation,the density,and the trace length)among different subzones.Moreover,the density of fracture sets,which is approximately parallel to the slope surface,exhibits a notably higher value compared to other fracture sets across all subzones.To improve the accuracy of the DFN modeling,the effects of three common phenomena resulting from vegetation and rockfalls are qualitatively analyzed and the corresponding quantitative data processing solutions are proposed.Subsequently,the 3D fracture geometric parameters are determined for different areas of the high-steep rock slope in terms of the subzone dimensions.The results show significant variations in the same set of 3D fracture parameters across different regions with density differing by up to tenfold and mean trace length exhibiting differences of 3e4 times.The study results present precise geological structural information,improve modeling accuracy,and provide practical solutions for addressing complex outcrop issues.

Modeling of multiphase flow in low permeability porous media:Effect of wettability and pore structure properties

Multiphase flow in low permeability porous media is involved in numerous energy and environmental applications.However,a complete description of this process is challenging due to the limited modeling scale and the effects of complex pore structures and wettability.To address this issue,based on the digital rock of low permeability sandstone,a direct numerical simulation is performed considering the interphase drag and boundary slip to clarify the microscopic water-oil displacement process.In addition,a dual-porosity pore network model(PNM)is constructed to obtain the water-oil relative permeability of the sample.The displacement efficiency as a recovery process is assessed under different wetting and pore structure properties.Results show that microscopic displacement mechanisms explain the corresponding macroscopic relative permeability.The injected water breaks through the outlet earlier with a large mass flow,while thick oil films exist in rough hydrophobic surfaces and poorly connected pores.The variation of water-oil relative permeability is significant,and residual oil saturation is high in the oil-wet system.The flooding is extensive,and the residual oil is trapped in complex pore networks for hydrophilic pore surfaces;thus,water relative permeability is lower in the water-wet system.While the displacement efficiency is the worst in mixed-wetting systems for poor water connectivity.Microporosity negatively correlates with invading oil volume fraction due to strong capillary resistance,and a large microporosity corresponds to low residual oil saturation.This work provides insights into the water-oil flow from different modeling perspectives and helps to optimize the development plan for enhanced recovery.

Algorithmic approach to discrete fracture network flow modeling in consideration of realistic connections in large-scale fracture networks

Analyzing rock mass seepage using the discrete fracture network(DFN)flow model poses challenges when dealing with complex fracture networks.This paper presents a novel DFN flow model that incorporates the actual connections of large-scale fractures.Notably,this model efficiently manages over 20,000 fractures without necessitating adjustments to the DFN geometry.All geometric analyses,such as identifying connected fractures,dividing the two-dimensional domain into closed loops,triangulating arbitrary loops,and refining triangular elements,are fully automated.The analysis processes are comprehensively introduced,and core algorithms,along with their pseudo-codes,are outlined and explained to assist readers in their programming endeavors.The accuracy of geometric analyses is validated through topological graphs representing the connection relationships between fractures.In practical application,the proposed model is employed to assess the water-sealing effectiveness of an underground storage cavern project.The analysis results indicate that the existing design scheme can effectively prevent the stored oil from leaking in the presence of both dense and sparse fractures.Furthermore,following extensive modification and optimization,the scale and precision of model computation suggest that the proposed model and developed codes can meet the requirements of engineering applications.

Percolation Network Modeling of Electrical Properties of Reservoir Rock*

Based on the percolation network model characterizing reservoir rock＇s pore structure and fluid characteristics, this paper qualitatively studies the effects of pore size, pore shape, pore connectivity, and the amount of micropores on the I - Sw curve using numerical modeling. The effects of formation water salinity on the electrical resistivity of the rock are discussed. Then the relative magnitudes of the different influencing factors are discussed. The effects of the different factors on the I - Sw curve are analyzed by fitting simulation results. The results show that the connectivity of the void spaces and the amount of micropores have a large effect on the I - S, curve, while the other factors have little effect. The formation water salinity has a large effect on the absolute resistivity values. The non-Archie phenomenon is prevalent, which is remarkable in rocks with low permeability.

Analysis of spatial distribution characteristics and driving factors of ethnicminority villages in China using geospatial technology and statistical models

This study aims to reveal the spatial structural characteristics of 1,652 Ethnic-Minority Villages(EMV)in China and to analyze the mechanisms driving their spatial heterogeneity.EMV are a special type of settlement space that preserve a large number of historical traces of the ethnic culture of ancient China.They are important carriers of China’s excellent traditional culture and are key to the implementation of rural revitalization strategies.In this study,1652 EMV in China were selected as the research subjects.The Nearest Neighbor Index,kernel density,and spatial autocorrelation index were employed to reveal the spatial structural characteristics of minority villages.Neural network models,spatial lag models,and geographical detectors were used to analyze the formation mechanism of spatial heterogeneity in EMV.The results indicate that:(1)EMV exhibit significant spatial differentiation characterized by“single-core with multiple surrounding sub-centers,”“polarization between east and west,”“decreasing quantity from southwest to east coast to northeast to northwest,”and“large dispersion with small agglomeration.”(2)EMV are mainly distributed in areas rich in intangible cultural heritage,with high vegetation coverage and low altitude,far from central cities,and having limited arable land and an underdeveloped economy and transportation,particularly in shaded or riverbank areas.(3)Distance from the nearest river(X3),distance from central cities(X8),national intangible cultural heritage(X9),and NDVI(X10)were the main driving factors affecting the spatial distribution of EMV,whereas elevation(X1)and GDP(X5)had the weakest influence.As EMV are a relatively unique territorial spatial unit,the identification of their spatial heterogeneity characteristics not only deepens the research content of settlement geography,but also involves the assessment,protection,and development of Minority Villages,which is of great significance for the inheritance and utilization of excellent ethnic cultures in the era.

Anisotropic dynamic permeability model for porous media

Based on the tortuous capillary network model,the relationship between anisotropic permeability and rock normal strain,namely the anisotropic dynamic permeability model(ADPM),was derived and established.The model was verified using pore-scale flow simulation.The uniaxial strain process was calculated and the main factors affecting permeability changes in different directions in the deformation process were analyzed.In the process of uniaxial strain during the exploitation of layered oil and gas reservoirs,the effect of effective surface porosity on the permeability in all directions is consistent.With the decrease of effective surface porosity,the sensitivity of permeability to strain increases.The sensitivity of the permeability perpendicular to the direction of compression to the strain decreases with the increase of the tortuosity,while the sensitivity of the permeability in the direction of compression to the strain increases with the increase of the tortuosity.For layered reservoirs with the same initial tortuosity in all directions,the tortuosity plays a decisive role in the relative relationship between the variations of permeability in all directions during pressure drop.When the tortuosity is less than 1.6,the decrease rate of horizontal permeability is higher than that of vertical permeability,while the opposite is true when the tortuosity is greater than 1.6.This phenomenon cannot be represented by traditional dynamic permeability model.After the verification by experimental data of pore-scale simulation,the new model has high fitting accuracy and can effectively characterize the effects of deformation in different directions on the permeability in all directions.

Development of a DFN-based probabilistic block theory approach for bench face angle design in open pit mining

In open pit mining,uncontrolled block instabilities have serious social,economic and regulatory consequences,such as casualties,disruption of operation and increased regulation difficulties.For this reason,bench face angle,as one of the controlling parameters associated with block instabilities,should be carefully designed for sustainable mining.This study introduces a discrete fracture network(DFN)-based probabilistic block theory approach for the fast design of the bench face angle.A major advantage is the explicit incorporation of discontinuity size and spatial distribution in the procedure of key blocks testing.The proposed approach was applied to a granite mine in China.First,DFN models were generated from a multi-step modeling procedure to simulate the complex structural characteristics of pit slopes.Then,a modified key blocks searching method was applied to the slope faces modeled,and a cumulative probability of failure was obtained for each sector.Finally,a bench face angle was determined commensurate with an acceptable risk level of stability.The simulation results have shown that the number of hazardous traces exposed on the slope face can be significantly reduced when the suggested bench face angle is adopted,indicating an extremely low risk of uncontrolled block instabilities.

The impact of heterogeneity and pore network characteristics on single and multi-phase fluid propagation in complex porous media:An X-ray computed tomography study

This study investigates the impact of pore network characteristics on fluid flow through complex and heterogeneous porous media,providing insights into the factors affecting fluid propagation in such systems.Specifically,high-resolution or micro X-ray computed tomography(CT)imaging techniques were utilized to examine outcrop stromatolite samples of the Lagoa Salgada,considered flow analogous to the Brazilian Pre-salt carbonate reservoirs.The petrophysical results comprised two distinct stromatolite depositional facies,the columnar and the fine-grained facies.By generating pore network model(PNM),the study quantified the relationship between key features of the porous system,including pore and throat radius,throat length,coordination number,shape factor,and pore volume.The study found that the less dense pore network of the columnar sample is typically characterized by larger pores and wider and longer throats but with a weaker connection of throats to pores.Both facies exhibited less variability in the radius of the pores and throats in comparison to throat length.Additionally,a series of core flooding experiments coupled with medical CT scanning was designed and conducted in the plug samples to assess flow propagation and saturation fields.The study revealed that the heterogeneity and presence of disconnected or dead-end pores significantly impacted the flow patterns and saturation.Two-phase flow patterns and oil saturation distribution reveal a preferential and heterogeneous displacement that mainly swept displaced fluid in some regions of plugs and bypassed it in others.The relation between saturation profiles,porosity profiles,and the number of fluid flow patterns for the samples was evident.Only for the columnar plug sample was the enhancement in recovery factor after shifting to lower salinity water injection(SB)observed.

A Survey on Chinese Sign Language Recognition:From Traditional Methods to Artificial Intelligence

Research on Chinese Sign Language(CSL)provides convenience and support for individuals with hearing impairments to communicate and integrate into society.This article reviews the relevant literature on Chinese Sign Language Recognition(CSLR)in the past 20 years.Hidden Markov Models(HMM),Support Vector Machines(SVM),and Dynamic Time Warping(DTW)were found to be the most commonly employed technologies among traditional identificationmethods.Benefiting from the rapid development of computer vision and artificial intelligence technology,Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN),3D-CNN,YOLO,Capsule Network(CapsNet)and various deep neural networks have sprung up.Deep Neural Networks(DNNs)and their derived models are integral tomodern artificial intelligence recognitionmethods.In addition,technologies thatwerewidely used in the early days have also been integrated and applied to specific hybrid models and customized identification methods.Sign language data collection includes acquiring data from data gloves,data sensors(such as Kinect,LeapMotion,etc.),and high-definition photography.Meanwhile,facial expression recognition,complex background processing,and 3D sign language recognition have also attracted research interests among scholars.Due to the uniqueness and complexity of Chinese sign language,accuracy,robustness,real-time performance,and user independence are significant challenges for future sign language recognition research.Additionally,suitable datasets and evaluation criteria are also worth pursuing.

A multilayer network diffusion-based model for reviewer recommendation

With the rapid growth of manuscript submissions,finding eligible reviewers for every submission has become a heavy task.Recommender systems are powerful tools developed in computer science and information science to deal with this problem.However,most existing approaches resort to text mining techniques to match manuscripts with potential reviewers,which require high-quality textual information to perform well.In this paper,we propose a reviewer recommendation algorithm based on a network diffusion process on a scholar-paper multilayer network,with no requirement for textual information.The network incorporates the relationship of scholar-paper pairs,the collaboration among scholars,and the bibliographic coupling among papers.Experimental results show that our proposed algorithm outperforms other state-of-the-art recommendation methods that use graph random walk and matrix factorization and methods that use machine learning and natural language processing,with improvements of over 7.62%in recall,5.66%in hit rate,and 47.53%in ranking score.Our work sheds light on the effectiveness of multilayer network diffusion-based methods in the reviewer recommendation problem,which will help to facilitate the peer-review process and promote information retrieval research in other practical scenes.

Optimization of Product Distribution for MIP Units Using Data Mining

Based on data from a petrochemical company’s MIP unit over the past three years,19 input variables and 2 output variables were selected for modeling using the maximum information coefficient and Pearson correlation coefficient among 155 variables,which included properties of feedstock oil and spent catalyst,operational variables,and material flows.The distillation range variables were reduced using factor analysis,and the feedstock oils were clustered into three types using the K-means++algorithm.Each feedstock oil type was then used as an input variable for modeling.An XGBoost model and a back propagation(BP)neural network model with a structure of 20-15-15-2 were developed to predict the combined yield of gasoline and propylene,as well as the coke yield.In the test set,the BP neural network model demonstrated better fitting and generalization abilities with a mean absolute percentage error and determination coefficient of 1.48%and 0.738,respectively,compared to the XGBoost model.It was therefore chosen for further optimization work.The genetic algorithm was utilized to optimize operational variables in order to increase the combined yield of gasoline and propylene while controlling the growth of coke yield.Seven commercial test results in the MIP unit showed an average increase of 1.39 percentage points for the combined yield of gasoline and propylene and an average decrease of 0.11 percentage points for coke yield.These results indicate that the model effectively improves the combined yield of gasoline and propylene while controlling the increase in coke yield.

Weighted Forwarding in Graph Convolution Networks for Recommendation Information Systems

Recommendation Information Systems(RIS)are pivotal in helping users in swiftly locating desired content from the vast amount of information available on the Internet.Graph Convolution Network(GCN)algorithms have been employed to implement the RIS efficiently.However,the GCN algorithm faces limitations in terms of performance enhancement owing to the due to the embedding value-vanishing problem that occurs during the learning process.To address this issue,we propose a Weighted Forwarding method using the GCN(WF-GCN)algorithm.The proposed method involves multiplying the embedding results with different weights for each hop layer during graph learning.By applying the WF-GCN algorithm,which adjusts weights for each hop layer before forwarding to the next,nodes with many neighbors achieve higher embedding values.This approach facilitates the learning of more hop layers within the GCN framework.The efficacy of the WF-GCN was demonstrated through its application to various datasets.In the MovieLens dataset,the implementation of WF-GCN in LightGCN resulted in significant performance improvements,with recall and NDCG increasing by up to+163.64%and+132.04%,respectively.Similarly,in the Last.FM dataset,LightGCN using WF-GCN enhanced with WF-GCN showed substantial improvements,with the recall and NDCG metrics rising by up to+174.40%and+169.95%,respectively.Furthermore,the application of WF-GCN to Self-supervised Graph Learning(SGL)and Simple Graph Contrastive Learning(SimGCL)also demonstrated notable enhancements in both recall and NDCG across these datasets.

Reinforcement Learning Based Quantization Strategy Optimal Assignment Algorithm for Mixed Precision

The quantization algorithm compresses the original network by reducing the numerical bit width of the model,which improves the computation speed. Because different layers have different redundancy and sensitivity to databit width. Reducing the data bit width will result in a loss of accuracy. Therefore, it is difficult to determinethe optimal bit width for different parts of the network with guaranteed accuracy. Mixed precision quantizationcan effectively reduce the amount of computation while keeping the model accuracy basically unchanged. In thispaper, a hardware-aware mixed precision quantization strategy optimal assignment algorithm adapted to low bitwidth is proposed, and reinforcement learning is used to automatically predict the mixed precision that meets theconstraints of hardware resources. In the state-space design, the standard deviation of weights is used to measurethe distribution difference of data, the execution speed feedback of simulated neural network accelerator inferenceis used as the environment to limit the action space of the agent, and the accuracy of the quantization model afterretraining is used as the reward function to guide the agent to carry out deep reinforcement learning training. Theexperimental results show that the proposed method obtains a suitable model layer-by-layer quantization strategyunder the condition that the computational resources are satisfied, and themodel accuracy is effectively improved.The proposed method has strong intelligence and certain universality and has strong application potential in thefield of mixed precision quantization and embedded neural network model deployment.

Advancing critical care recovery:The pivotal role of machine learning in early detection of intensive care unit-acquired weakness

This editorial explores the significant challenge of intensive care unit-acquiredweakness(ICU-AW),a prevalent condition affecting critically ill patients,characterizedby profound muscle weakness and complicating patient recovery.Highlightingthe paradox of modern medical advances,it emphasizes the urgent needfor early identification and intervention to mitigate ICU-AW's impact.Innovatively,the study by Wang et al is showcased for employing a multilayer perceptronneural network model,achieving high accuracy in predicting ICU-AWrisk.This advancement underscores the potential of neural network models inenhancing patient care but also calls for continued research to address limitationsand improve model applicability.The editorial advocates for the developmentand validation of sophisticated predictive tools,aiming for personalized carestrategies to reduce ICU-AW incidence and severity,ultimately improving patientoutcomes in critical care settings.

A three-dimensional feature extraction-based method for coal cleat characterization using X-ray μCT and its application to a Bowen Basin coal specimen

Cleats are the dominant micro-fracture network controlling the macro-mechanical behavior of coal.Improved understanding of the spatial characteristics of cleat networks is therefore important to the coal mining industry.Discrete fracture networks(DFNs)are increasingly used in engineering analyses to spatially model fractures at various scales.The reliability of coal DFNs largely depends on the confidence in the input cleat statistics.Estimates of these parameters can be made from image-based three-dimensional(3D)characterization of coal cleats using X-ray micro-computed tomography(m CT).One key step in this process,after cleat extraction,is the separation of individual cleats,without which the cleats are a connected network and statistics for different cleat sets cannot be measured.In this paper,a feature extraction-based image processing method is introduced to identify and separate distinct cleat groups from 3D X-ray m CT images.Kernels(filters)representing explicit cleat features of coal are built and cleat separation is successfully achieved by convolutional operations on 3D coal images.The new method is applied to a coal specimen with 80 mm in diameter and 100 mm in length acquired from an Anglo American Steelmaking Coal mine in the Bowen Basin,Queensland,Australia.It is demonstrated that the new method produces reliable cleat separation capable of defining individual cleats and preserving 3D topology after separation.Bedding-parallel fractures are also identified and separated,which has his-torically been challenging to delineate and rarely reported.A variety of cleat/fracture statistics is measured which not only can quantitatively characterize the cleat/fracture system but also can be used for DFN modeling.Finally,variability and heterogeneity with respect to the core axis are investigated.Significant heterogeneity is observed and suggests that the representative elementary volume(REV)of the cleat groups for engineering purposes may be a complex problem requiring careful consideration.

Study on Sex Ratio of Lampreys Based on Simulated Ecosystem-Food Web Model

Lampreys, as an important participant in the ecosystem, play an irreplaceable role in the stability of nature. A variety of models were used to simulate ecosystems and food webs, and the dynamic evolution of multiple populations was solved. The temporal changes of the biomass and the health of the ecosystem affected by the population of Lampreys in other ecological niches were solved. For problem 1, Firstly, a simple natural ecosystem is simulated based on the threshold model and BP neural network model. The dynamic change of the sex ratio of lampreys population and the fluctuation of ecosystem health value were found to generate time series maps. Lampreys overprey on low-niche animals, which damages the overall stability of the ecosystem. For problem 2, We used the Lotka-Volterra model to construct ecological competition between lampreys and primary consumers and predators. Then, the Lotka-Volterra equations were solved, and a control group without gender shift function was set up, which reflected the advantages and disadvantages of the sex-regulated characteristics of lampreys in the natural environment. For problem 3, The ecosystem model established in question 1 was further deepened, and the food web was simulated by the Beverton-Holt model and the Logistic time-dependent differential equations model. The parameters of the food web model were input into the neurons of the ecosystem model, and the two models were integrated to form an overall biosphere model. The output layer of the ecosystem neural network was input into the food web Beverton-Holt and Logistic differential equations, and finally, the three-dimensional analytical solution was obtained by numerical simulation. Then Euler method is used to obtain the exact value of the solution surface. The Random forest model was used to predict the future development of lampreys and other ecological niches. For problem 4, By investigating relevant literature, we normalized the populations of lampreys and a variety of fish as well as other ecological niche animals, plants and microorganisms in the same water area, set different impact weights of lampreys, constructed weight evaluation matrix, and obtained positive and negative ideal solution vectors and negative correlation proximity by using TOPSIS comprehensive evaluation method. It is concluded that many kinds of fish are greatly affected by the sex regulation of lampreys.

Meso-scale modeling of chloride diffusion in concrete with consideration of effects of time and temperature

A meso-scale truss network model was developed to predict chloride diffusion in concrete. The model regards concrete as a three-phase composite of mortar matrix, coarse aggregates, and the interfacial transition zone （ITZ） between the mortar matrix and the aggregates. The diffusion coefficient of chloride in the mortar and the ITZ can be analytically determined with only the water-to-cement ratio and volume fraction of fine aggregates. Fick＇s second law of diffusion was used as the governing equation for chloride diffusion in a homogenous medium （e.g., mortar）; it was discretized and applied to the truss network model. The solution procedure of the truss network model based on the diffusion law and the meso-scale composite structure of concrete is outlined. Additionally, the dependence of the diffusion coefficient of chloride in the mortar and the ITZ on exposure duration and temperature is taken into account to illustrate their effect on chloride diffusion coefficient. The numerical results show that the exposure duration and environmental temperature play important roles in the diffusion rate of chloride ions in concrete. It is also concluded that the meso-scale truss network model can be applied to chloride transport analysis of damaged （or cracked） concrete.

Brain networks modeling for studying the mechanism underlying the development of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a primary age-related neurodegenerative disorder that can result in impaired cognitive and memory functions.Although connections between changes in brain networks of Alzheimer’s disease patients have been established,the mechanisms that drive these alterations remain incompletely understood.This study,which was conducted in 2018 at Northeastern University in China,included data from 97 participants of the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative(ADNI)dataset covering genetics,imaging,and clinical data.All participants were divided into two groups:normal control(n=52;20 males and 32 females;mean age 73.90±4.72 years)and Alzheimer’s disease(n=45,23 males and 22 females;mean age 74.85±5.66).To uncover the wiring mechanisms that shaped changes in the topology of human brain networks of Alzheimer’s disease patients,we proposed a local naive Bayes brain network model based on graph theory.Our results showed that the proposed model provided an excellent fit to observe networks in all properties examined,including clustering coefficient,modularity,characteristic path length,network efficiency,betweenness,and degree distribution compared with empirical methods.This proposed model simulated the wiring changes in human brain networks between controls and Alzheimer’s disease patients.Our results demonstrate its utility in understanding relationships between brain tissue structure and cognitive or behavioral functions.The ADNI was performed in accordance with the Good Clinical Practice guidelines,US 21 CFR Part 50-Protection of Human Subjects,and Part 56-Institutional Review Boards(IRBs)/Research Good Clinical Practice guidelines Institutional Review Boards(IRBs)/Research Ethics Boards(REBs).

Towards optimal recovery scheduling for dynamic resilience of networked infrastructure

Prior research on the resilience of critical infrastructure usually utilizes the network model to characterize the structure of the components so that a quantitative representation of resilience can be obtained. Particularly, network component importance is addressed to express its significance in shaping the resilience performance of the whole system. Due to the intrinsic complexity of the problem, some idealized assumptions are exerted on the resilience-optimization problem to find partial solutions. This paper seeks to exploit the dynamic aspect of system resilience, i.e., the scheduling problem of link recovery in the post-disruption phase.The aim is to analyze the recovery strategy of the system with more practical assumptions, especially inhomogeneous time cost among links. In view of this, the presented work translates the resilience-maximization recovery plan into the dynamic decisionmaking of runtime recovery option. A heuristic scheme is devised to treat the core problem of link selection in an ongoing style.Through Monte Carlo simulation, the link recovery order rendered by the proposed scheme demonstrates excellent resilience performance as well as accommodation with uncertainty caused by epistemic knowledge.

Agent-Based Network Modeling Study of Immune Responses in Progression of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, is a chronic inflammatory disorder that results in ulcers of the colon and rectum without known etiology. Ulcerative colitis causes a huge public health care burden particularly in developed countries. Many studies suggest that ulcerative colitis results from an abnormal immune response against components of cornrnensal rnicrobiota in genetically susceptible individuals. However, understanding of the disease mechanisms at cellular and molecular levels remains largely elusive. In this paper, a network model is developed based on our previous study and computer simulations are perforrned using an agent-based network modeling to elucidate the dynamics of immune response in ulcerative colitis progression. Our modeling study identifies several important positive feedback loops as a driving force for ulcerative colitis initiation and progression. The results demonstrate that although immune response in ulcerative colitis patients is dominated by anti-inflarnrnatory/regulatory cells such as alternatively activated rnacrophages and type II natural killer T cells, proinflarnrnatory cells including classically activated rnacrophages, T helper 1 and T helper 17 cells, and their secreted cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-12, interleukin-23, interleukin-17 and interferon-γ remain at certain levels （lower than those in Crohn＇s disease, another inflammatory bowel disease）. Long-terrn exposure to these proinflarnrnatory components, causes rnucosal tissue damage persistently, leading to ulcerative colitis. Our simulation results are qualitatively in agreement with clinical and laboratory measurements, offering novel insight into the disease mechanisms.