Agents in decentralised information ecosystems: the DIET approach

The complexity of the current global information infrastructure requires novel means of understanding and exploiting the dynamics of information. One means may be through the concept of an information ecosystem. An information ecosystem is analo gous to a natural ecosystem in which there are flo ws of materials and energy analo gous to information flow between many interacting individuals. This paper describes a multi-agent platform, DIET (Decentralised Information Ecosystem Technologies) that can be used to implement open, robust, adaptive and scalable ecosystem-inspired systems. We describe the design principles of the DIET software architecture, and present a simple example application based upon it. We go on to consider how the DIET system can be used to develop information brokering agents, and how these can contribute to the implementation of economic interactions between agents, as well as identifying some open questions relating to research in these areas. In this way we show the capacity of the DIET system to support applications using information agents.Future and Emerging Technologies arm of the IST Programme of the European Union, under the FET Proactive Initiative – Universal Information Ecosystems (FET, 1999), through project DIET (IST -1999-10088), BTexaCT Intelligent Systems Laboratory for stimulating discussion and comment

Onkopti® - digitalized and standardized oncological therapy protocols in the internet

Oncological protocols for pharmacotherapy of cancer are compiled from original papers, guidelines, textbooks, collections of protocols, study groups and congress articles. Creating and updating completely new protocols is complex, time consuming and unstandardized. For these reasons, implementation of permanent and numerous innovations in clinical standards is often considerably delayed. Furthermore, a central quality assurance is neither in place nor is there a functioning variant management of routine clinical protocols. The information system Onkopti® (www.onkopti.de) provides clinical oncologists with current and editorially screened data on routine oncological protocols and study protocols for solid tumours and haemoblastoses via download from the internet. In addition, all protocol-relevant information, such as literature citations, medical societies’ recommendations and guidelines, toxicity as well as information on supportive and adjuvant therapy, advice for carrying out the protocols, control parameters, etc. are captured and can be pulled up, as needed. Working together with external experts and study groups, which contribute to the editorial work flow, experienced specialists in oncology, haematology and pharmacy review the internet protocol databank in form and content and maintain constant quality assurance. After successful validation, the protocol is released. A protocol can be viewed and printed out in different degrees of scope and detail. Over 700 protocols are available and are amended continuously. A mini-version is freely available in the internet. The attending physician can simply download the standardised treatment protocol in the form of an Excel document. This document also includes supportive and adjuvant therapy and allows the physician to generate a patient-specific, daily medication schedule. Exporting complete protocols in the Cato programme for individualized therapy, adjuvant care and preparation of cytostatics in the pharmacy is part of daily routine practice. Onkopti® offers digitalised, standardised therapy protocols for download and enables further use of complete protocols in computerized physician order entry systems. The resources for protocol generation can be centralised, thereby freeing up the user’s resources. The central internet-based databank Onkopti® enables pharmacists and physicians to establish and conduct optimal oncological therapy which is state of the art in terms of quality assurance and standards. Disclosure: Hartmut Link: Honoraria: Onkopti: UrheberrechtRolf van Lengen: No conflict of interest disclosed

Agents in decentralised information ecosystems:the diet approach

The complexity of the current global information infrastructure requires novel means of understanding and exploiting the dynamics of information. One means may be through the concept of an information ecosystem. An information ecosystem is analo gous to a natural ecosystem in which there are flo ws of materials and energy analo gous to information flow between many interacting individuals. This paper describes a multi-agent platform, DIET (Decentralised Information Ecosystem Technologies) that can be used to implement open, robust, adaptive and scalable ecosystem-inspired systems. We describe the design principles of the DIET software architecture, and present a simple example application based upon it. We go on to consider how the DIET system can be used to develop information brokering agents, and how these can contribute to the implementation of economic interactions between agents, as well as identifying some open questions relating to research in these areas. In this way we show the capacity of the DIET system to support applications using information agents.Future and Emerging Technologies arm of the IST Programme of the European Union, under the FET Proactive Initiative – Universal Information Ecosystems (FET, 1999), through project DIET (IST -1999-10088), BTexaCT Intelligent Systems Laboratory for stimulating discussion and comment

Clusters and Nanocrystals

Clusters and nanocrystals constitute intermediates between molecules and condensed matter. Due to their finite size, clusters have a wide spectrum of applications ranging from building blocks for novel materials to model systems for fundamental investigations about light-matter interactions. Short-wavelength radiation from synchrotron radiation sources and free-electron lasers allows the detailed investigation of their geometric, electronic, and magnetic structure as well as dynamical processes. Conversely, clusters can serve as idealized sample systems for the development of new experimental techniques and pioneering experiments with novel x-ray sources. The chapter starts with a brief introduction to cluster physics, followed by a comprehensive overview of research performed at synchrotron light sources on van der Waals, metal, and semiconductor clusters. With the advent of short-wavelength free-electron lasers, a new research field in the x-ray peak intensity regime has opened. Experiments on single clusters, such as x-ray imaging and tracing ultrafast dynamics, now become possible