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An empirically informed agent-based model of a Nepalese smallholder village.

ABSTRACT: Agent-based modelling methodologies offer a number of advantages when it comes to socio-ecological systems research. In particular, they enable experiments to be conducted that are not practical or feasible to conduct in real world settings; they can capture heterogeneity in agent circumstances, knowledge, behaviour, and experiences; and they facilitate a multi-scale, causal understanding of system dynamics. However, developing detailed, empirically informed agent-based models is typically a time and resource intensive activity. Here, we describe a detail-rich, ethnographically informed agent-based model of a Nepalese smallholder village that was created for the purpose of studying the impact of multiple stressors on mountain communities. In doing so, we aim to make the model accessible to other researchers interested in simulating such communities and to provide inspiration for other socio-ecological system modellers.•The model is described using the ODD protocol.•The number of replicate runs required for experiments is discussed, and the model validation and sensitivity analysis processes that have been conducted are explained.•Suggestions are made for how the model can practically be used and for how model outputs can be analysed.

SUBMITTER: Roxburgh N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8374244 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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An empirically informed agent-based model of a Nepalese smallholder village.

Roxburgh Nicholas N Evans Andrew A Gc Raj K RK Malleson Nick N Heppenstall Alison A Stringer Lindsay L

MethodsX 20210331

Agent-based modelling methodologies offer a number of advantages when it comes to socio-ecological systems research. In particular, they enable experiments to be conducted that are not practical or feasible to conduct in real world settings; they can capture heterogeneity in agent circumstances, knowledge, behaviour, and experiences; and they facilitate a multi-scale, causal understanding of system dynamics. However, developing detailed, empirically informed agent-based models is typically a tim ...[more]

PMID: 34434796

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Project description:Hypermutable P. aeruginosa isolates are prevalent in cystic fibrosis and associated with acute exacerbations of chronic lung infections leading to early death and increased resistance emergence. Achievable epithelial lining fluid concentration-time profiles of meropenem and tobramycin in monotherapy and combination regimens were simulated against two clinical hypermutable P. aeruginosa isolates; CW8 (MICmeropenem=8mg/L, MICtobramycin=8mg/L) and CW44 (MICmeropenem=4mg/L, MICtobramycin=2mg/L) in an 8-day hollow fiber infection model (HFIM). Both isolates were previously characterised with genotypes resembling those of carbapenem- and aminoglycoside-resistant strains. Meropenem at 1 or 2g every 8h (3h infusion) and tobramycin at 5 or 10mg/kg body weight every 24h (0.5h infusion) were studied. Total and resistant bacterial counts were determined. Whole genome sequencing was performed on mutants and whole population samples at 191h, and transcriptomics at 1 and 191h. Mechanism-based modelling of total and resistant populations was informed by the multi-omics analysis. While all regimens against both isolates produced regrowth, the high dose combination synergistically suppressed resistant regrowth against CW8 up to ~96h. The high dose combination provided some killing against CW44, however failed to prevent resistant regrowth. In CW8, mutations emerged during treatment in pmrB, ampR, and multiple efflux pump regulators; in CW44, mutations in pmrB and PBP2 were observed. In CW8, resistance genes mexB and oprM were downregulated by the combination at 1h and coincided with synergistic killing, with differential expression of outer membrane norspermidine and lipopolysaccharide genes at 191h. Mechanism-based modelling incorporating subpopulation and mechanistic synergy successfully characterized the bacterial response of CW8, while mechanistic synergy was not required for CW44. Incorporating information from the multi-omics analyses was instrumental in building the mechanism-based model to describe the bacterial response of the hypermutable isolates, whereas MICs and traditional PK/PD indices could not predict the outcomes of the HFIM.

Project description:Providing support to parents and their children to help address the cycle of intergenerational impacts of mental illness and reduce the negative consequences for children is a key focus of selective prevention approaches in public mental health. However, a key issue for children of parents with a mental illness is the lack of access to early intervention and prevention support when needed. They are not easily identifiable (until presenting with significant mental health issues of their own) and not easily accessing the necessary support that address the complex interplay of parental mental illness within families. There are significant barriers to the early identification of these children, particularly for mental health care. Furthermore, there is a lack of collaborative care that might enhance identification as well as offer services and support for these families. The "It takes a Village" project seeks to improve mental health outcomes for children through the co-development, implementation and evaluation of an approach to collaborative practice concerned with the identification of families where a parent has a mental illness, and establishing a service model to promote child-focused support networks in Austria. Here we describe the development of service delivery approach for the "It takes a Village" project that aims to improve identification and support of these children within enhancements of the existing service systems and informal supports. The paper describes the use of codesign and other implementation strategies, applied to a research setting, with the aim of impacting the sustainability of workforce reform to achieve lasting social impact. Results highlight the steps involved in translating evidence-based components, local practice wisdom and lived experience into the "It takes a Village" practice model for Tyrol, Austria. We highlight through this paper how regional context-specific solutions are essential in the redesign of care models that meet the complex needs of children of parents with a mental illness. Service system and policy formation with local and experienced stakeholders are also vital to ensure the solutions are implementation-ready, particularly when introducing new practice models that rely on organizational change and new ways of practice with vulnerable families. This also creates a solid foundation for the evaluation of the "It take a Village" approach for children of parents with a mental illness in Austria.

Dataset Information

An empirically informed agent-based model of a Nepalese smallholder village.

Publications

An empirically informed agent-based model of a Nepalese smallholder village.

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