Explains, with supporting figures and flowcharts of programing logic, two search strategies introduced to the MORPHS System since 1976: one that employs the normal Boolean operators in strings without bracketing or in the form of marked steps, and one that treats a string of keywords as a compound word. (Author/JD)

Describes an approach that combines concepts from information retrieval, fuzzy set theory, and genetic programing to improve weighted Boolean query formulation via relevance feedback. Highlights include background on information retrieval systems; genetic algorithms; subproblem formulation; and preliminary results based on a testbed. (Contains 12…

In the process of item calibration for a computerized adaptive test (CAT), many well-established calibrating packages show weakness in the estimation of item parameters. This paper introduces an on-line calibration algorithm based on the convexity of likelihood functions. This package consists of: (1) an algorithm that estimates examinee ability…

Following a discussion of derivative versus assignment indexing, use of roles, and concept behind Preserved Concept Indexing System, features of PERMDEX (microcomputer program to assist in creation of permuted printed index) are described including indexer input and prompts, the shunting algorithm, and sorting and printing routines. Fourteen…

The National Library of Medicine has discarded connect hour-only billing for a more equitable system, which distributes user costs by type and intensity of work performed and data delivered. User data (cost comparisons, interpolated input/output count per connect hours, connect hours per year) were analyzed and further improvements are planned.…

Presents an algorithm for use in online information retrieval which will generate a list of bibliographic citations derived from a preselected relevant document and which measures the relatedness of retrieved items to the preselected document. A test of the algorithm in retrieving medical literature is described. Two figures are included. (JL)

Discusses the problem of duplicate citations resulting from file overlaps in multidatabase searching and shows that such duplicates could be identified automatically and eliminated by a host computer as a complementary service to online retrieval. Steps involved in the realization of this service are described, and 11 references are listed. (RBF)

Provides an applications-oriented view of algorithmic historiography and how it relates to understanding scientific paradigms. Discusses HistCite[TM], a program that allows scholars to identify significant works on a given topic; paradigm shifts; a genealogic approach; citation analyses; correcting variations in citations; and bibliographic…

This paper provides a description of an online Rorschach interpretation algorithm for the Exner comprehensive system, as well as a study conducted to evaluate the validity of the online interpretive algorithm. The user, systems, and equipment specifications for the algorithm are explained, and the potential advantages of its use to enhance…

Discussion of a new method of index term dictionary compression in an inverted-file-oriented database highlights a technique of word coding, which generates short fixed-length codes obtained from the index terms themselves by analysis of monogram and bigram statistical distributions. Substantial savings in communication channel utilization are…

Analytical methods for facilitating comparison of multiple sets during online searching are illustrated by description of specific searching methods that eliminate duplicate citations and a factoring procedure based on syntactic relationships that establishes ranked sets. Searches executed in National Center for Mental Health database on…

Describes NEGOTIATE, an interactive computer model that synthesizes bargaining theories into algorithmic functions capable of simulating complex labor relations. The models employed in the simulation, the instructional dimension of NEGOTIATE, and various applications of the game are discussed. A seven-item reference list is included. (Author/JL)

Describes a two-phase stemming algorithm which consists of word root identification and automatic selection of word variants starting with same word root from inverted file. Use of algorithm in book catalog file is discussed. Ten references and example of subject search are appended. (EJS)

Zipfian laws for frequency distributions of word pairs and longer phrases are derived from text sample analysis. From crossing of Zipfian curves, it is deduced that number of multi-word phrases that occur frequently in text is surprisingly small, of same order of magnitude as number of individual word-types. (8 references) (EJS)

The six papers that comprise this document deal with topics related to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and/or its online document retrieval system, NIOSHTIC. Specific subjects include: (1) a method to catalog multiple sources of NIOSH publications for dissemination; (2) an input rejection algorithm used to provide…