Multi-agent based simulation of self-governing knowledge commons

The potential of user-generated sensor data for participatory sensing has motivated the formation of organisations focused on the exploitation of collected information and associated knowledge. Given the power and value of both the raw data and the derived knowledge, we advocate an open approach to data and intellectual-property rights. By treating user-generated content as well as derived information and knowledge as a common-pool resource, we hypothesise that all participants can be compensated fairly for their input. To test this hypothesis, we undertake an extensive review of experimental, commercial and social participatory-sensing applications, from which we identify that a decentralised, community-oriented governance model is required to support this open approach. We show that the Institutional Analysis and Design framework as introduced by Elinor Ostrom, in conjunction with a framework for self-organising electronic institutions, can be used to give both an architectural and algorithmic base for the necessary governance model, in terms of operational and collective choice rules specified in computational logic. As a basis for understanding the effect of governance on these applications, we develop a testbed which joins our logical formulation of the knowledge commons with a generic model of the participatory-sensing problem. This requires a multi-agent platform for the simulation of autonomous and dynamic agents, and a method of executing the logical calculus in which our electronic institution is specified. To this end, firstly, we develop a general purpose, high performance platform for multi-agent based simulation, Presage2. Secondly, we propose a method for translating event-calculus axioms into rules compatible with business rule engines, and provide an implementation for JBoss Drools along with a suite of modules for electronic institutions. Through our simulations we show that, when building electronic institutions for managing participatory sensing as a knowledge commons, proper enfranchisement of agents (as outlined in Ostrom's work) is key to striking a balance between endurance, fairness and reduction of greedy behaviour. We conclude with a set of guidelines for engineering knowledge commons for the next generation of participatory-sensing applications.Open Acces

Patchwork Stories: An arts project that celebrates and weaves our connections together

Patchwork Stories is inspired by the tradition of using story as a response to people asking for advice and guidance. Our research project gathers personal stories and experiences to offer each other; stories that without advice or direct answers, tell us what it may take to turn towards one another. Founded in 2012 by researchers from the Universities of UT Austin and Exeter UK, Patchwork Stories explores the potential of storytelling in building community connections. Through an interactive storytelling process with community participants, an aural patchwork of personal stories and experiences is created and shared. Through a participatory installation, the process of weaving provides a physical representation of the interconnectedness between strangers and friends. This paper introduces "storytravelling", a flexible term to describe intentional acts of giving and receiving stories. Both project facilitators and project participants are "storytravellers"; the facilitating "storytravellers" create conditions in which individual contributions are nurtured and valued and the participating "storytravellers" contribute through sharing their own stories and actively listening to others. This paper outlines the process of storytravelling; engaging with simple acts of reciprocity that validate connection and community; making possible social inclusion and healing

Impact of neuraminidase inhibitors on influenza A(H1N1)pdm09‐related pneumonia: an individual participant data meta‐analysis

BACKGROUND: The impact of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) on influenza‐related pneumonia (IRP) is not established. Our objective was to investigate the association between NAI treatment and IRP incidence and outcomes in patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection. METHODS: A worldwide meta‐analysis of individual participant data from 20 634 hospitalised patients with laboratory‐confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 (n = 20 021) or clinically diagnosed (n = 613) ‘pandemic influenza’. The primary outcome was radiologically confirmed IRP. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using generalised linear mixed modelling, adjusting for NAI treatment propensity, antibiotics and corticosteroids. RESULTS: Of 20 634 included participants, 5978 (29·0%) had IRP; conversely, 3349 (16·2%) had confirmed the absence of radiographic pneumonia (the comparator). Early NAI treatment (within 2 days of symptom onset) versus no NAI was not significantly associated with IRP [adj. OR 0·83 (95% CI 0·64–1·06; P = 0·136)]. Among the 5978 patients with IRP, early NAI treatment versus none did not impact on mortality [adj. OR = 0·72 (0·44–1·17; P = 0·180)] or likelihood of requiring ventilatory support [adj. OR = 1·17 (0·71–1·92; P = 0·537)], but early treatment versus later significantly reduced mortality [adj. OR = 0·70 (0·55–0·88; P = 0·003)] and likelihood of requiring ventilatory support [adj. OR = 0·68 (0·54–0·85; P = 0·001)]. CONCLUSIONS: Early NAI treatment of patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection versus no treatment did not reduce the likelihood of IRP. However, in patients who developed IRP, early NAI treatment versus later reduced the likelihood of mortality and needing ventilatory support

Outbreak of health care-associated Burkholderia cenocepacia bacteremia and infection attributed to contaminated sterile gel used for central line insertion under ultrasound guidance and other procedures

Background: We report an outbreak of Burkholderia cenocepacia bacteremia and infection in 11 patients predominately in intensive care units caused by contaminated ultrasound gel used in central line insertion and sterile procedures within 4 hospitals across Australia. Methods: Burkholderia cenocepacia was first identified in the blood culture of a patient from the intensive care unit at the Gold Coast University Hospital on March 26, 2017, with 3 subsequent cases identified by April 7, 2017. The outbreak response team commenced investigative measures. Results: The outbreak investigation identified the point source as contaminated gel packaged in sachets for use within the sterile ultrasound probe cover. In total, 11 patient isolates of B cenocepacia with the same multilocus sequence type were identified within 4 hospitals across Australia. This typing was the same as identified in the contaminated gel isolate with single nucleotide polymorphism-based typing, demonstrating that all linked isolates clustered together. Conclusion: Arresting the national point-source outbreak within multiple jurisdictions was critically reliant on a rapid, integrated, and coordinated response and the use of informal professional networks to first identify it. All institutions where the product is used should look back at Burkholderia sp blood culture isolates for speciation to ensure this outbreak is no larger than currently recognized given likely global distribution

Altered editing in cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 8A1 gene transcripts of systemic lupus erythematosus T lymphocytes

The aetiopathogenesis of the abnormal immune response in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains incompletely understood. We and other investigators demonstrated altered expression of adenosine deaminase that act on RNA (ADAR) genes in SLE patients. Based on this information, we hypothesize that the altered expression and function of ADAR enzymes is a mechanism for the immunopathogenesis of SLE. ADARs edit gene transcripts through site-specific conversion of adenosine to inosine by hydrolytic deamination at C6 of the adenosine. Thirteen SLE subjects and eight healthy controls were studied. We assessed the role of ADAR enzymes in editing of PDE8A1 gene transcripts of normal and SLE T cells. These studies demonstrated the occurrence of ADAR-catalysed altered and site-selective editing profile of specific sites in the PDE8A1 gene transcripts of normal and SLE T cells. Two hot spots for A to I editing were observed in the PDE8A1 transcripts of normal and SLE T cells. A fundamental finding of this study is A to I hypo-editing followed by up-regulation of PDE8A1 transcripts in SLE T cells. These results are confirmed by analysing PDE8A1 transcripts of normal T cells activated with type I interferon-α. It is proposed that, the altered expression of ADAR enzymes tilt the balance of editing machinery and alter editing in SLE transcriptome. Such altered editing may contribute to the modulation of gene regulation and ultimately, immune functions in SLE and play an important role in the initiation and propagation of SLE pathogenesis