Aadya Shukla

Mouse Phenotype Database Integration Consortium: integration [corrected] of mouse phenome data resources.

Understanding the functions encoded in the mouse genome will be central to an understanding of the genetic basis of human disease. To achieve this it will be essential to be able to characterize the phenotypic consequences of variation and alterations in individual genes. Data on the phenotypes of mouse strains are currently held in a number of different forms (detailed descriptions of mouse lines, first-line phenotyping data on novel mutations, data on the normal features of inbred lines) at many sites worldwide. For the most efficient use of these data sets, we have initiated a process to develop standards for the description of phenotypes (using ontologies) and file formats for the description of phenotyping protocols and phenotype data sets. This process is ongoing and needs to be supported by the wider mouse genetics and phenotyping communities to succeed. We invite interested parties to contact us as we develop this process further.

Metadata standards for semantic interoperability in electronic government

Effective data sharing, across government agencies and other organisations, relies upon agreed meanings and representations. A key, technological challenge in electronic governance is to ensure that the meaning of data items is accurately recorded, and accessible in an economical---effectively, automatic---fashion. In response, a variety of data and metadata standards have been put forward: from government departments, from industry groups, and from organisations such as the ISO and W3C. This paper shows how the leading standard for metadata registration---ISO 11179---can be deployed without the need for a single, monolithic conceptualisation of the domain, and hence without the need for universal agreement upon a particular model of electronic governance. The advantages of this approach are discussed with regard to the UK eGovernment Interoperability Framework (eGIF) and the UK Integrated Public Sector Vocabulary (IPSV).

Integration of Mouse Phenome Data Resources

Understanding the functions encoded in the mouse genome will be central to an understanding of the genetic basis of human disease. To achieve this it will be essential to be able to characterise the phenotypic consequences of variation and alterations in individual genes. Data on the phenotypes of mouse strains are currently held in a number of different forms (detailed descriptions of mouse lines, first line phenotyping data on novel mutations, data on the normal features of inbred lines, etc.) at many sites worldwide. For the most efficient use of these data sets, we have set in train a process to develop standards for the description of phenotypes (using ontologies), and file formats for the description of phenotyping protocols and phenotype data sets. This process is ongoing, and needs to be supported by the wider mouse genetics and phenotyping communities to succeed. We invite interested parties to contact us as we develop this process further.

Semantic frameworks for e-government

This paper explains how semantic frameworks can be used to support successful e-Government initiatives by connecting system design to a shared understanding of interactions and processes. It shows how metadata standards and repositories can be used to establish and maintain such an understanding, and how they can be used in the automatic generation and instantiation of components and services. It includes an account of a successful implementation at an international level, and a brief review of related approaches.

Semantics-driven development for electronic government applications

It has been argued that the challenges in electronic government are purely social: that existing methods and tools are perfectly adequate, and that electronic government projects fail because of people, not technology. While acknowledging that there are organisational and political challenges, this paper argues that there is also a significant, technical challenge, and a corresponding technology gap. It argues also that this challenge may be addressed through a combination of model-driven development and semantic technologies, and reports briefly upon a successful, prototypical application.

Semantic Interoperability in Practice

Effective electronic governance relies upon the transmission of meaningful metadata: information about intents and purposes, provenance and form. Mechanisms for the definition and communication of this metadata, and for its automatic incorporation in software interfaces and artifacts, already exist. However, there is as yet no well-understood mechanism the establishment and maintenance of an agreed collection of metadata for a specific, common purpose. Semantic interoperability - the ability of systems to work together, using common interpretations of data and services - can thus be difficult to achieve. This paper explains how collections of metadata, describing data usage and data standards, can be established and maintained, and examines their application to semantic interoperability in two domains: in clinical informatics, and in public sector coordination. A number of recommendations are made regarding the use of metadata and models for interoperability.