Bulky Data Research Articles

Automatic fixing of ship position by simulation-and-matching

In this paper, we propose an automatic method, named simulation-and-matching, for fixing ship position both from a radar echo image and from a synthetic echo image which is synthesized from three-dimensional topographic data, and we show that simulation-and-matching is a more accurate and robust method than those methods that are based on coastline matching. For bulky three-dimensional data, data compression by spline approximation is also considered.

Data Management in an Epidemiological Study : Experiences from the Iowa 500 Field Follow-up and Family Study

We are now conducting a forty-year follow-up and family study of 200 schizophrenics, 325 manic-depressives and 160 surgical controls. This study began in 1973 and has continued to the present date. Numerous data handling and data management decisions were made in the course of collecting the data for the project. In this report some of the practical difficulties in the data handling and computer management of such large and bulky data sets are enumerated.

TRANSPIRATION AND THE ABSORPTION OF MINERAL SALTS

The effect of varying rates of transpiration upon the absorption of mineral salts is an old question that has been studied by numerous investigators. No attempt will be made here to review these bulky data. Earlier opinions, as summarized by Curtis (2), were usually in favor of increased absorption of mineral salts. More recent studies by various investigators are characterized by a decided lack of unanimity of opinion. The work of Hasselbring (7), Kiesselbach (9), Muenscher (12), Mendiola (10) and others indicates that different rates of transpiration are without effect upon the absorption of mineral salts. Investigations conducted by Hass and Reed (6), Hitchcock and Zimmerman (8), and Freeland (3, 4) support the contention that transpiration is a factor which affects the absorption and translocation of mineral salts. The confusion that exists in this field of investigation is probably caused largely by the failure to eliminate all other factors in the metabolism of the plant, which may affect the absorption of mineral salts. It is the purpose of this paper to present a technique that will predominantly keep these other contributing factors constant, and, with such controlled conditions, to demonstrate that different rates of transpiration are accompanied by corresponding rates in the absorption of certain anions and cations.

Anthropological Researches in India 1

LIEUT.-COLONEL DR. WADDELL has been constrained to make a careful study of the savage tribes that live in the mountainous valleys of the upper waters of the Brahmaputra, as he realised that the unique mass of ethnological material which is stored in these mountain recesses is being allowed to disappear unrecorded. It is said to be no uncommon sight to see a Naga, who only two or three years ago was a naked headhunting savage of the most pronounced type, now clad in a tweed coat and carrying a Manchester umbrella, taking his ticket at a railway station. Dr. Waddell states that one of the oldest European residents of Assam, Mr. S. E. Peal, urged at every opportunity in the public Press and in communications to the Asiatic Societies, the Royal Geographical Society and the Anthropological Institute of London, in the strongest terms possible, the necessity for action without further delay. In despair at the apathy displayed in the matter, he willed away at his death, a few months ago, to a museum in New Zealand all his collections of miscellaneous notes and specimens of the vanishing ornaments and primitive costumes of these wild tribes. Colonel Woodthorpe has emphasised the loss to ethnology if the many interesting tribes are not carefully studied soon. Mr. Wharry, adviser on Chinese affairs to the Government at Burma, says:—“The chance of studying these peoples to full advantage is fast slipping away.” The observations published by Dr. Waddell relate to about 600 individuals belonging to more than thirty tribes or groups. After briefly describing the influence of topography on the ethnology of the district and the racial elements, he gives a short account of a large number of tribes in alphabetical order. This section contains a great deal of very interesting matter which is of value alike to the ethnologist and to the student of comparative customs. Then follows the detailed anthropometric data and seventeen plates of portraits and groups. As the tables of indices and the “comparison of the results and the bearing of these on the question of the affinities of the tribes” are not given in this part, we assume they will follow in the next number of the journal, when it is to be hoped the equally bulky data for the tribes of Tibet and Burma, which the author has amassed, will be published for the benefit of his colleagues at home.