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Methods Inf Med 1997; 36(01): 30-43
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1634688
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH

Ontology and Terminology Servers in Agent-based Health-care Information Systems

S. Falasconi
1   Medical Informatics Laboratory, Dept. of Informatics and Systems Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
,
G. Lanzola
1   Medical Informatics Laboratory, Dept. of Informatics and Systems Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
,
M. Stefanelli
1   Medical Informatics Laboratory, Dept. of Informatics and Systems Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
20 February 2018 (online)

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Abstract:

A new research paradigm is emerging based on the multi-agent system architectural framework, allowing human and software agents to interoperate and thus cooperate within common application areas. Within a multi-agent system, the different “views of the world” of knowledgeable agents are to be bridged through their commitment to common ontologies and terminologies. We developed a general methodology for the design or integration of new components into a Health-care Information System conceived as a network of software and human agents. In our view, ontological and terminological services are entrusted to dedicated agents, namely ontology and terminology servers, allowing the configuration of suitable application ontologies for distributed applications. The role is described that such servers, operatively coordinated in order to preserve semantic coherence, should play within a distributed Health-care Information System.

Keywords:

Agent - Ontology - Distributed Health-care
 

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