Retrieval,visualization, and mining of large radiation dosage data

Radiation dose monitoring has become an essential service that hospitals must perform. Depending on the system in place, this can result in the collection of large quantities of data, ripe for analysis. These data should include a wide variety of variables for each study because assessment of the propriety of the patient’s dose is dependent on many factors, including patient age and size, as well as the body section that is being scanned. Moreover, the scanners themselves have many properties that affect patient dose, such as model, pitch and kVp. In this paper, we propose an engine that seamlessly integrated with a clinical PACS to retrieve radiation dosage data. We devised several schemes to analyze these data through visualization and mining techniques that examine it at different scopes. We demonstrate the utility of such visual methods at examining large, noisy, and multi-dimensional data, which is embodied in the collected radiation data.     

Mea Culpa: Formal Education and the Dis-Integrated World

Formal education has removed itself so far from any truly integrated view of the Natural World that fragmentation and certainty are prevailing ethics. Technological progress has resulted in increased specialization within academic disciplines and their concurrent separation from each other. Knowledge is extracted from a fully integrated world, but is examined and defined by the 'dis-integrated' objectives.     

Factor structure and specific variance of the WPPSI subtests at six age levels

The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) was factor analyzed at each of six age levels between 4 and 6½ years through the method of principal factors. A two-factor solution, corresponding essentially to Wechsler's a priori grouping of the subtests into a Verbal and nonverbal or Performance scale, best described the 11 WPPSI subtests at each age level. Examination of the common, specific, and error variance components of the subtests across age levels indicated adequate test specificity to allow for individual interpretation of all subtests except Information and Comprehension when the null hypothesis model of ipsative interpretation of individual tests is employed.     

‘Studies have shown that …’ how to read a statistical study

This article provides some background for a classroom discussion of statistical research studies. The history of cigarettes and warning labels in the USA is reviewed here in order to demonstrate the challenges of statistical research and communication.     

The Future of the Library As a Place of Learning: A Personal Perspective

As the twenty-first century unfolds and we move to a new economy based not on knowledge but on ideas will the Library as a place disappear? In a connected world where users have extensive access to vast amounts of information why would they go to libraries and, more importantly, are there reasons for us to construct new library buildings in the twenty-first century? While the power of technology makes libraries more able to deliver improved services, digitization and remote access may conspire to make them irrelevant as places. However the real impact of technology is how it affects the practice of teaching and learning. The importance of creating a national learning infrastructure that benefits as many people as possible is more important than ever before for global competitiveness. Libraries focused on their contribution to learning will not merely be important places as the learning society develops but will be essential to its success. To be part of that picture, Libraries need to consider how they can support the ideas economy and provide facilities that become essential to the lives of twenty-first century learners.     

Bookstores and Other Book Sources

Ruth Adler's A Day in the Life of the New York Times (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1971—$6.77)

Les Daniels and The Mad Peck, Comix: A History of Comic Books in America (New York: Outerbridge &; Dienstfrey, 1971—$7.95)

75 Years of the Comics (Boston: Boston Book and Art Co., 1971—$9.95)

International Newspapers from University Microfilms (Ann Arbor, Michigan: University Microfilms, 1971—free on request, paper)

Chilton R. Bush (ed.) News Research for Better Newspapers (New York: American Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation, 750 Third Ave., 1965-date (annual), $2.00 or $3.00 each (set of last five volumes available for $10.00), paper)

Maurice F. Tauber and Hilda Feinberg's Book Catalogs (Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1971—$15.00)

Martin E. Dann (ed.) The Black Press: 1827-1890 (New York: Putnam, 1971—$7.95)     

Creating IT focus in a fuzzy world

The traditional positioning and skills base of information technology (IT) departments in publishing is inadequate for present challenges and needs. The Internet provides an environment in which the “virtual” nature of the publishing business need no longer be a barrier to the provision of integrated systems support to the entire organization. A huge attitudinal change will be essential in IT departments and publishing management if the full potential of technology is to be realized. Address for correspondence