Information Retrieval List Digest 097 (January 1, 1992) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/irld/irld-097 IRLIST Digest January 1, 1992 Volume IX, Number 1 Issue 97 ********************************************************** I. NOTICES C. Miscellaneous 1. Graduate Work in Cognitive & Neural Systems at Boston U. 2. Upcoming Workshops at Kent State University II. QUERIES B. Requests for Information 1. Software in Hungary III. JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Department Head, Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University IV. PROJECT WORK C. Abstracts 1. IR-Related Dissertation Abstracts ********************************************************** I. NOTICES I.C.1. Fr: dlukas@park.bu.edu Re: Graduate Work in Cognitive and Neural Systems at Boston U DEPARTMENT OF COGNITIVE AND NEURAL SYSTEMS (CNS) AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY Stephen Grossberg, Chairman The Boston University Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems offers comprehensive advanced training in the neural and computational principles, mechanisms, and architectures that underly human and animal behavior, and the application of neural network architectures to the solution of outstanding technological problems. Applications for Fall, 1992 admissions and financial aid are now being accepted for both the MA and PhD degree programs. To obtain a brochure describing the CNS Program and a set of application materials, write or telephone: Department of Cognitive & Neural Systems Boston University 111 Cummington Street, Room 240 Boston, MA 02215 (617) 353-9481 or send a mailing address to: kellyd@cns.bu.edu Applications for admission and financial aid should be received by the Graduate School Admissions Office no later than January 15. Applicants are required to submit undergraduate (and, if applicable, graduate) transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The Advanced Test should be in the candidate's area of departmental specialization. GRE scores may be waived for MA candidates and, in exceptional cases, for PhD candidates, but absence of these scores may decrease an applicant's chances for admission and financial aid. DESCRIPTION OF THE CNS DEPARTMENT: The Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems (CNS) provides advanced training and research experience for graduate students interested in the neural and computational principles, mechanisms, and architectures that underlie human and animal behavior, and the application of neural network architectures to the solution of outstanding technological problems. Students are trained in a broad range of areas concerning cognitive and neural systems, including vision and image processing; speech and language understanding; adaptive pattern recognition; cognitive information processing; self-organization; associative learning and long-term memory; cooperative and competitive network dynamics and short-term memory; reinforcement, motivation, and attention; adaptive sensory-motor control and robotics; and biological rhythms; as well as the mathematical and computational methods needed to support advanced modeling research and applications. The CNS Department awards MA, PhD, and BA/MA degrees. The CNS Department embodies a number of unique features. It has developed a core curriculum that consists of ten interdisciplinary graduate courses each of which integrates the psychological, neurobiological, mathematical, and computational information needed to theoretically investigate fundamental issues concerning mind and brain processes and the applications of neural networks to technology. Additional advanced courses, including research seminars, are also offered. Each course is typically taught once a week in the evening to make the program available to qualified students, including working professionals, throughout the Boston area. Students develop a coherent area of expertise by designing a program that includes courses in areas such as Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Psychology, in addition to courses in the CNS core curriculum. The CNS Department prepares students for thesis research with scientists in one of several Boston University research centers or groups, and with Boston-area scientists collaborating with these centers. The unit most closely linked to the department is the Center for Adaptive Systems. The Center for Adaptive Systems is also part of the Boston Consortium for Behavioral and Neural Studies, a Boston-area multi-institutional Congressional Center of Excellence. Another multi-institutional Congressional Center of Excellence focused at Boston University is the Center for the Study of Rhythmic Processes. Other research resources include distinguished research groups in neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and neuropharmacology at the Medical School and the Charles River campus; in sensory robotics, biomedical engineering, computer and systems engineering, and neuromuscular research within the Engineering School; in dynamical systems within the mathematics department; in theoretical computer science within the Computer Science Department; and in biophysics and computational physics within the Physics Department. 1991 FACULTY and STAFF of CNS and CAS: Daniel H. Bullock Nancy Kopell Gail A. Carpenter John W.L. Merrill Michael A. Cohen Ennio Mingolla H. Steven Colburn Alan Peters Paolo Gaudiano Adam Reeves Stephen Grossberg James T. Todd Thomas G. Kincaid Allen Waxman ********** I.C.2. Fr: Julie Gedeon Re: Upcoming workshops The School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio is sponsoring the following spring graduate-credit workshops: Advanced Online Database Searching (Business) January 6-10, 9:00-4:00 2 graduate credits $293 for credits + $80 special fee for online time and manuals Taught by Tom Frohelich, Associate Professor, SLIS-KSU Bitnet and Internet: Discovering Scholarly Resources on the Academic Networks April 24, 5:00-9:00; April 25, 9:00-5:00; April 26, 1:00-5:00 1 graduate credit $146.40 for credit + $20 special feel for online time, software and manuals Taught by Diane Kovacs, Instructor and Reference Librarian, KSU Libraries Online Searching and Management January 13-17, 9:00-4:00 2 graduate credits $293 for credits + $65 special fee for online time and manuals Taught by Greg Byerly, Associate Professor, SLIS-KSU To register for these workshops, contact the College of Continuing Studies, 204 Student Services Center, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242; 216/672-3100. For more information about the workshops, contact the School of Library and Information Science, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242; 216/672-2782; fax: 672-7965; bitnet: jgedeon@kentvm or gbyerly@kentvm or tfroehli@kentvm. ********************************************************** II. QUERIES II.B.1. Fr: Zimanyi Magdolna To: Dr. Steven N. Goldstein, NSF **forwarded to IR-L** Dear Dr. Goldstein, during your visit to the Central Research Institute for Physics, Budapest, Hungary, I have asked you about some information on data base handling software systems for bibliographical data bases and library automation. According to your kind encouragement now I repeat my enquiry by E-mail. We are mostly interested in software systems for DEC, IBM and SUN computers. Any informations and suggestions from you would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Sincerely yours Magda Zimanyi Central Research Institute for Physics, Budapest, Hungary E-mail: h331zim@ella.hu or if this doesn't work: h331zim%ella.hu@mcsun.EU.net ********************************************************** III. JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS III.1 From: fox@fox.cs.vt.edu (Edward A. Fox) Subject: job announcement ANNOUNCEMENT of the opening for the position of DEPARTMENT HEAD in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) Applications and nominations are invited for the position of Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech, with a desired starting date of July 1, 1992. The Department: Established in 1970, the department currently has 26 faculty members, 250 graduate students (150 in off-campus programs), and 450 under-graduate majors. It offers a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Computer Science, as well as a Master of Information Systems. Since 1985, the department has required freshmen to purchase personal computers running UNIX. The department's primary research concentrations are in human-computer interaction; software engineering and systems; numerical analysis; parallel computation; image processing, multimedia, and information systems; modeling and simulation; and artificial intelligence. Facilities include approximately 100 workstations and personal computers (DECstation, NeXT, SUN, Macintosh, Amiga, IBM, etc.), parallel processing units (Sequent, Intel Hypercube), and special facilities for image processing, multimedia, robotics, and AI. The University: Located in Blacksburg, adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia Tech is the land-grant university of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Highly selective in admissions, the university enrolls in its nine colleges some 18,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate and professional students. Qualifications: Candidates must have an outstanding research record in computer science, dedication to excellence in graduate and undergraduate education, and a demonstrated potential for leadership and administration. Applications: Please send nomination details or applications -- including resume, cover letter, and the names, addresses, and phone numbers of four references -- to Professor Edward A. Fox, Dept. of Computer Science, 562 McBryde Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0106. Informal communications may use electronic mail (fox@vtopus.cs.vt.edu) or telephone (703/231-5113). Deadline: January 15, 1992, or until position is filled. We are particularly interested in receiving the nominations/applications of women and minority candidates. Virginia Tech is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. ********************************************************** IV. PROJECT WORK IV.C.1. Fr: Susanne M. Humphrey Re: IR-Related Dissertation Abstracts Fr: Susanne M. Humphrey Selected IR-Related Dissertation Abstracts The following are citations selected by title and abstract as being related to Information Retrieval (IR), resulting from a computer search, using BRS Information Technologies, of the Dissertation Abstracts Online database produced by University Microfilms International (UMI). Included are UMI order number, title, author, degree, year, institution; number of pages, one or more Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI) subject descriptors chosen by the author, and abstract. Unless otherwise specified, paper or microform copies of dissertations may be ordered from University Microfilms International, Dissertation Copies, Post Office Box 1764, Ann Arbor, MI 48106; telephone for U.S. (except Michigan, Hawaii, Alaska): 1-800-521-3042, for Canada: 1-800-268-6090. Price lists and other ordering and shipping information are in the introduction to the published DAI. An alternate source for copies is sometimes provided. Dissertation titles and abstracts contained here are published with permission of University Microfilms International, publishers of Dissertation Abstracts International (copyright by University Microfilms International), and may not be reproduced without their prior permission. AN University Microfilms Order Number ADGDX-92162. AU BUTCHER, MICHAEL DAVID. TI A GRAPHICAL INTERFACE MODEL FOR AN ELECTRONIC OFFICE INFORMATION SYSTEM. IN University College of Swansea (Wales) (United Kingdom) Ph.D. 1987, 214 pages. SO DAI V51(12), SecB, pp5968. DE Computer Science. AB Available from UMI in association with The British Library. The diverse nature of interfaces to interactive computer systems necessitates the derivation of principles which can be applied consistently across systems and applications. This project focuses attention on the development of an Interactive Graphical interface to an Office System (IGOS). Essentially a model, IGOS attempts to produce a graded interface whereby novices (or casual users) are assisted on their journey to becoming experts. The interaction strategies employed, menu sequencing and direct map selection, are aimed at the extremes of experience. However, novices are able to gradually combine more advanced interactive techniques into their dialogue, as their understanding of the system increases. A number of universal design principles have been adopted and implemented in the design of the IGOS model which, in addition to ensuring a consistent interface across system states, can be applied to a range of applications. AN This item is not available from University Microfilms International ADGC1-71266. AU RIOSSET, CATHERINE. TT URBAN DATABASES: METHOD OF INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND STRUCTURATION FOR SEWAGE MANAGEMENT AND CONCEPTION. TI BASES DE DONNEES URBAINES: METHODOLOGIE D'ANALYSE ET DE STRUCTURATION DE L'INFORMATION POUR UNE APPLICATION DE GESTION ET DE CONCEPTION DE L'ASSAINISSEMENT. LG FRENCH. IN Institut National des Sciences Appliquees de Lyon (France) Do. 1990, 312 pages. SO DAI V52(02), SecC, pp273. DE Computer Science. RC INSA DE LYON BIBLIOTHEQUE (LIBRARY), 20 AV. ALBERT EINSTEIN, 69621 VILLEURBANNE CEDEX, FRANCE. AB Data processing is an indispensable tool which enables municipalities to operate efficiently. This report first describes French experiences with urban databases used for control and administrative purposes. Concepts of new softwares (the Geographic Information Systems) are described. They provide municipal technical services with a management and decision making aid for urban planning. Using the example of the sewer service of the Lyon Urban Area, (CO.UR.LY), the second part of this report shows how a data processing system can be connected with an urban database. GE.SI.C.A. allows the management of all the data used for the different technical activities. GE.SI.C.A. can help to plan investments (sewage projects, hydraulic and qualitative analysis), to plan network renovation (management of physical information), to program network cleaning (management of silting measures) and in sewage maintenance (accidental waste or discharge,.). The major component of our research is described in the third part of this work. It explains our method to analyse and build the GE.SI.C.A. system (Management, Simulation and Sewage Projects). Information, definition, modelling and structuration in the database are successively analysed in accordance with function specifications and software design. Specifications of data management tools and the establishment of updating procedures are given. AN This item is not available from University Microfilms International ADGC1-72797. AU VAN KUIJK, HENDRIKUS J. A. TI SEMANTIC QUERY OPTIMIZATION IN DISTRIBUTED DATABASE SYSTEMS: A KNOWLEDGE-BASED APPROACH. IN Universiteit Twente (The Netherlands) Dr. 1991, 210 pages. SO DAI V52(02), SecC, pp275. DE Computer Science. RC UNIVERSITY OF TWENTE, P.O. BOX 217, 7500 AE ENSCHEDE, THE NETHERLANDS. AB In this dissertation, the problem of semantic query optimization in distributed database systems is attacked by a combination of powerful heuristics and a multilevel search method. At the highest level, the query optimizer searches for a set of appropriate query transformation strategies. At the lowest level, the query optimizer uses these strategies to transform the original query into a set of equivalent candidate expressions, one of which is selected to be transformed into an efficient evaluation plan. Properties of the application in the form of state constraints are used to guide the query optimization process. State constraints are used to attack the following optimization problems: manipulating selection and join condition expressions, estimating more accurately the properties of intermediate and final results, and defining and using fragmentation schemas. The architecture of the query optimizer consists of a hierarchy of relatively small and simple knowledge systems each of which is equipped with the knowledge needed to solve a well-defined optimization (sub)problem. AN University Microfilms Order Number ADG91-13770. AU WEISS, PETER. TI SIZE REDUCTION OF INVERTED FILES USING DATA COMPRESSION AND DATA STRUCTURE REORGANIZATION. IN The George Washington University D.Sc. 1990, 174 pages. SO DAI V51(12), SecB, pp5982. DE Computer Science. AB Advances in the speed and power of computers has increased the usage of free-text retrieval systems. Free-text retrieval allows users to search the text of each document in a database for arbitrary combinations of words and often the relative location of those words. Inverting files is one of the most popular techniques for storing and retrieving data in free-text systems. However, the storage requirements for an inverted file system can double the size of the database, since the data in the inverted file almost duplicate the original database. A reduction in size of the inverted file saves computer storage and improves retrieval response. This study examined four techniques for reducing the size of inverted files and measured their effectiveness in improving retrieval response. A free-text information retrieval system was constructed on a computer in a controlled environment. The retrieval performance of 120 sample queries, including the detection of any errors, was measured and recorded. The four size reduction techniques were applied in turn to the information retrieval system. The techniques included a non-linear compression code, an ambiguous hash code, a Zipfian data structure, and a modified-Zipfian data structure. The resultant inverted file storage size and the retrieval performance of the same 120 sample queries were measured for each technique. Each size reduction technique improved retrieval performance. The improvement for the compression codes was small. Greater improvement was obtained by the Zipfian reorganization methods that took advantage of the Zipfian distribution of words in textual documents and stored data in blocks on computer disk drives. The modified-Zipfian data structure method provided a space savings of 38.9% and a retrieval time performance of 27.5%. Each of the reduction techniques agreed with a theoretical storage model but disagreed with a theoretical access time model. The study concluded that significant response time improvements can be obtained for information retrieval systems, without introducing any errors, by reducing the size of inverted files. It also concluded that the most effective data reduction techniques take advantage of the nature of the data. AN University Microfilms Order Number ADG13-42238. AU NIEMEYER, MOLLIE DINWIDDIE. TI MCAT, THE MISSOURI STATEWIDE BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATABASE: AN ASSESSMENT. IN Central Missouri State University Ed.Spec. 1989, 110 pages. SO MAI V29(02) pp184. DE Library Science. Information Science. AB The purpose of the study was to conduct an assessment of the Missouri Statewide Bibliographic Database (MCAT), along with the use of ALANET for communications, and to report the findings. A questionnaire was mailed to all recipients of the initial database. Respondents numbered 166, accounting for 70.3% of the total population. Based upon information supplied by users, it is evident that MCAT is being used. The extent of that use varies. Both size and type of library affect the degree of MCAT use. Smaller libraries without a wealth of other resources welcomed MCAT as a useful tool. Public libraries comprise the majority of users. The number one reason given for non-use was the lack of necessary equipment. Statewide databases are under consideration in other states. Missouri has been among the pioneers to implement a statewide bibliographic database and its assessment will aid the Missouri State Library in planning future developments. ********************************************************** IRLIST Digest is distributed from the University of California, Division of Library Automation, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA. 94612-3550. 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