A detailed proof is given of a theorem that characterizes the vertex sequence of any convex polyhedron and establishes the existence of only 13 Archimedean solids. (MP)

Discussion of hypertext browsing proposes a filtering algorithm which restricts the amount of information made available to the user by calculating the set of most relevant hypertext nodes for the user, utilizing the user profile and data clustering technique. An example is provided of an optimal cluster of relevant data items. (Author/LRW)

Presents a preliminary empirical test of a maximum likelihood approach to using relevance data for training information retrieval parameters. Discusses similarities to language models; the unification of document-oriented and query-oriented views; tests on data sets; algorithms and scalability; and the effectiveness of maximum likelihood…

Discussion of image database systems focuses on semantic queries and shows how an image is abstracted into a hierarchy of entity names and features; how relations are established between entities visible in the image; and how a "fuzzy" matching technique is used to compare semantic queries to image abstractions. (Author/LRW)

Discusses genetic algorithms in information retrieval, especially for relevance feedback, and evaluates the efficacy of a genetic algorithm with various order-based fitness functions for relevance feedback in a test database. Compares results with the Ide dec-hi method, one of the best traditional methods. (Contains 56 references.) (Author/LRW)

Proposes a method for the comparative analysis of concentration in author productivity distributions; selects suitable measures, Gini's index and number of authors, for two viewpoints regarding productivity; discusses statistical peculiarities of author productivity data; and explains developmental profiles which take into account sample size…

Discusses automated information retrieval, focusing on statistical patterns expected of a pair of terms that are semantically related to each other, guided by text generation conceptualization. Examines how the tendency of a content bearing term to clump, as quantified by previously developed measures of term clumping, is influenced by the…

Discusses users' search behavior and decision making in data mining and information retrieval. Describes iterative information seeking as a Markov process during which users advance through states of nodes; and explains how the information system records the decision as weights, allowing the incorporation of users' decisions into the Markov…

Briefly describes the principal relevance feedback methods that have been introduced over the years and evaluates the effectiveness of the methods in producing improved query formulations. Prescriptions are given for conducting text retrieval operations iteratively using relevance feedback. (24 references) (Author/CLB)

Describes an empirical Bayes method for predicting future use of library materials. Data from the University of Saskatchewan are used to illustrate practical applications of the model for simple prediction, prediction profiles, and prediction intervals. (21 references) (MES)

Compares the performance of inverted and signature file organizations in handling incrementally specified Boolean queries to an information retrieval system. The discussion covers the impact of more sophisticated signature file organizations, related problems, and possible future work. (65 references) (CLB)

Describes exploratory experiments in evaluating and improving a thesaurus through studying its effect on retrieval. A formula was developed to measure the conceptual distance between queries and documents encoded as sets of thesaurus terms. Comparison to the performance of people judging conceptual distance shows that the formula accurately…

Presents the theoretical aspects of a data analysis methodology that can help transform sequential raw data from a database into useful information, using the statistical analysis of patents as an example. Topics discussed include relational analysis and a technology watch approach. (Contains 17 references.) (LRW)

Discusses the use of logical imaging in information retrieval. Topics include the use of nonclassical logic in information retrieval; imaging and possible worlds semantics; retrieval by imaging; evaluation processes; worlds mass and worlds distance; and future work. (LRW)

Provides an overview of the concept of return on investment (ROI) to justify interactive multimedia training. Discusses the calculation of ROI and how it applies to training, the benefits of utilizing ROI as a Level IV evaluation (measure of results), and provides examples. Concludes that multimedia enhances learning although the results are…