Discusses the possibility of storing a compressed form of a translated version of a text that takes advantage of the availability of the original version for more accurate understanding. Experiments that used humans and then computers to predict texts letter by letter are described. (12 references) (LRW)

Reports on the development of an NLP (natural language processing) component for processing the free-text comments on life insurance applications for evaluation by an underwriting expert system. A sublanguage grammar approach with strong reliance on semantic word classes is described. Highlights include lexical analysis, adjacency analysis, and…

Describes a model for a front end query processor to deal with incomplete information in a database. The effectiveness of the processor in restricting the number of objects to be processed in a query and in aiding the interpretation of a query is discussed. (26 references) (Author/CLB)

Identifies requirements for representing structural aspects of nonconventional information system applications and demonstrates how recursive data models support information systems better than record-based database modelling tools. Structural concepts for representing office data objects are discussed and applied to an office example. Language…

The metainformational approach represents some attempts to transform the implicit retrieval information contained in primary documents to an explicit information structure. (Author/PF)

Argues that most currently used information retrieval models are unsuitable to describe recent techniques such as semantic based retrieval. A more general model is presented in which the basis for information retrieval is viewed as logical implication and the estimation of the correspondence between queries and documents is described in terms of…

Introduces a special issue on research on hypertext systems and information retrieval. Systems design aspects, including navigation models, link weighting, multiple representation techniques, automatic authoring, user modelling, varying levels of abstraction, and evaluation techniques are addressed. (EA)

Describes technique developed as automatic support to subject heading indexing at BIOSIS based on use of formalized language for semantic representation of biological texts and subject headings. Language structures, experimental results, and analysis of journal/subject heading and author/subject heading correlation data are discussed. References…

Discussion of natural language processing components of information retrieval systems focuses on a full-text system called TOPIC (Text-Oriented Procedures for Information Management and Condensation of Expository Texts) that is based on text parsing. Highlights include design rationales for semantic parsing; text coherence; and a semantic model of…

Presents a method for using the amount of semantic information in search-query terms as a weighting factor in constructing a fuzzy relation of resemblance between retrieved items in information retrieval online. Two tables, two figures, and a reference list accompany the text. (Author/JL)

Discusses the automatic construction of abstracts from the texts of documents. Automatic sentence extraction is examined, including syntactic criteria and semantic relational criteria; textual cohesion is discussed, including the recognition of anaphors and noun phrases; text structure is addressed; and the concept of abstract-frames is described.…

Presents a model that distinguishes between data as directly observable facts, information as structured collections of data, and knowledge as methods of using information. The discussion covers the likely benefits of the use of the model for a semantic information retrieval system using the concept of semantic categories. (28 references)…

Describes a prototype system for interactive knowledge-based indexing of the medical literature. Topics covered include current indexing practice; knowledge-based systems using frames; various types of assistance provided by the prototype system; and current research activities and plans for the development of the system. (17 references) (CLB)

Describes a conceptual Knowledge Representation Language (KRL) developed at the French National Center for Scientific Research, that is used for the construction and use of Large Knowledge Bases (LKBs) and/or Intelligent Information Retrieval Systems (IIRSs). Semantic factors are discussed, and the specialization hierarchies used are explained.…

Recent developments in cognitive science are assessed as challenge to well established view in philosophy of linguistics that meaning is inherent to language and is relatively fixed. Information provided by words and sentences, language comprehension, constructions of interpretations (not meanings), and arguments against relativism are discussed.…