The use of vocabulary files for on-line information retrieval

Online information retrieval systems continued to reach wider audiences. The authors discuss a particular text retrieval system and its techniques for helping the common unsophisticated user through both the search for and understanding of information based on the vocabular file concept. In addition methods for easy construction and maintenance of a suuitable data base organization are described.     

Journal clustering using a bibliographic coupling method

The classification of journal titles into fields or specialties is a problem of practical importance in library and information science. An algorithm is described which accomplishes such a classification using the single-link clustering technique and a novel application of the method of bibliographic coupling. The novelty consists in the use of two-step bibliographic coupling linkages, rather than the usual one-step linkages. This modification of the similarity measure leads to a marked improvement in the performance of single-link clustering in the formation of field or specialty clusters of journals. Results of an experiment using this algorithm are reported which grouped 890 journals into 168 clusters. This scope is an improvement of nearly an order of magnitude over previous journal clustering experiments. The results are evaluated by comparison with an independently derived manual classification of the same journal set. The generally good agreement indicates that this method of journal clustering will have significant practical utility for journal classification.     

Analysis and design of multi-input-multi-priority buffering systems with binomial feedback

The buffer design problem is studied for the cases where there exist single- and multiple-input lines with Poisson or Poisson bursts arrivals, periodic block or batch type removals, and binomial feedback.Using traffic intensity σ, block size c, and the feedback probability P_a as parameters, the analytical expressions concerning the average fractional information loss, the channel utilization and the average buffering delay in relation to the buffer length are derived. These relationships are computed for a set of parameter values and are plotted to be used as a basis for the buffer design. The present study should be valuable in designing engineering systems such as time sharing computer systems, information compression systems, computer networks, road traffic simulators, telephone exchanges etc. An illustrative example of a single-input buffer system of the type considered is fully discussed.     

Microscopic haematuria as an occult filarial infection in bhubaneshwar an endemic area for bancroftian filariasis

Sera samples of 7 microscopic haematuria cases collected before and after treatment with Diethylcarbamazine citrate, (DEC), 9 microfilaraemic cases and 19 endemic normal individuals were analysed for filarial antigen and IgG antibody levels. Filarial antigen was detected in 5 of the 7 microscopic haematuria cases, of which 3 turned negative for antigen after treatment with DEC. While none of the 7 haematuria cases were positive for filarial IgG antibodies, before the DEC treatment, all of them turned positive after DEC treatment. The sensitivity and specificity values(to detect mf +ve cases) were 89% and 90% respectively for the detection of filarial antigen and 78% and 95% respectively for the detection of filarial IgG antibodies.     

An isoperimetric problem for continuous systems: The aeolian vibration of a conductor span

The equations of motion for perfectly mechanical systems which are restricted to satisfy given constraints are derived through the Lagrangian formulation for continuous media. Hamilton's equations for this situation are derived, and the equations for the balance of energy and angular momentum are generated from fundamental principles. These equations are all specialized to the example of a conductor which is vibrating under Aeolian excitation. Various models for the Hamiltonian density and the constraint energy density due to the wind energy input are also discussed.     

The computation of discrimination values

Results have been reported showing the usefulness of discrimination value in automatic construction of dictionaries for information retrieval. While discrimination value is defined in the literature, no specific explanation of its computation is given. In this paper the computation of discrimination value is discussed, a relatively efficient algorithm is presented and an example is given.     

Smooth-pursuit eye movements in the newborn infant.

The capacity of newborn infants to smooth-pursuit eye movements in single-target tracking and in optokinetic nystagmus to a moving striped field was examined utilizing DC electrooculography. Smooth-pursuit movements were observed in all infants who were alert during testing, but they occupied less than 15% of viewing time during single-target tracking. The velocity of smooth-pursuit segments in single-target tracking increased linearly to a target velocity of 19 degrees/sec and deteriorated rapidly at faster speeds. No smooth pursuit occurred above 32 degrees/sec in single-target tracking. By contrast, optokinetic nystagmus was observed at all field velocities to 40 degrees/sec, but the speed of the mean slow component increased linearly to 25 degrees/sec and diminished above that field velocity. Infant optokinetic nystagmus differed strikingly from that of adults in that tonic ocular deviation was in the direction of field movement rather than away from it. This feature of neonatal optokinetic nystagmus is consistent with deficient foveal function and suggests that the relatively poor smooth-pursuit performance of newborns may be related to foveal immaturity.     

Do Fourteenth Amendment considerations outweigh a potential state interest in mandating cochlear implantation for deaf children?

Currently, the decision concerning pediatric cochlear implantation for children remains a personal choice for parents to make. Economic factors, educational outcomes, and societal attitudes concerning deafness could result in an increased governmental interest in this choice. This article examines case law related to the issue of parental autonomy to determine whether the state, acting in the role of parens patriae, could use economic and social reasons to mandate the provision of cochlear implants for all eligible children. The author uses previous cases as a framework to develop an opinion on whether a constitutional protection for parents may exist.     

Spatial invariance of handwriting

Two aspects concerning the production of shapes in handwriting are distinguished in the present paper. The first aspect is indicated by thespatial variability of letters measured across replications. Spatial variability is assumed to reflect the basic spatial noise observed in everyday writing. The second aspect deals with the geometric characteristics of letter shapes, measured by the ratio of the vertical over the horizontal letter size (Y/X-ratio). The main question is whether the geometric characteristics and basic spatial noise originate from a common source. More specifically, we are interested in whether Y/X-ratio as well as spatial variability will alter across changed circumstances, or whether Y/X-ratio will alter without a change in spatial variability. Subjects wrote the simple letter sequencelelele in conditions with and without vision under three scaling conditions requirements (small, normal and large letter sizes). The main results were that geometric aspects of letters altered (Y/X-ratio) under no vision and under the scaling requirement to write in a small format. In contrast, shapes were produced with unchanged spatial variability in all conditions of vision and scaling requirements. The results suggest that alterations of geometric aspects of letters across changed circumstances do not necessarily involve an increase in spatial variability.