Computerized Retrieval System Research Articles

Modelling search and stopping in interactive information retrieval

Searching for information when using a computerised retrieval system is a complex and inherently interactive process. Individuals during a search session may issue multiple queries, and examine a varying number of result summaries and documents per query. Searchers must also decide when to stop assessing content for relevance - or decide when to stop their search session altogether. Despite being such a fundamental activity, only a limited number of studies have explored stopping behaviours in detail, with a majority reporting that searchers stop because they decide that what they have found feels " good enough ". Notwithstanding the limited exploration of stopping during search, the phenomenon is central to the study of Information Retrieval, playing a role in the models and measures that we employ. However, the current de facto assumption considers that searchers will examine k documents - examining up to a fixed depth. In this thesis, we examine searcher stopping behaviours under a number of different search contexts. We conduct and report on two user studies, examining how result summary lengths and a variation of search tasks and goals affect such behaviours. Interaction data from these studies are then used to ground extensive simulations of interaction , exploring a number of different stopping heuristics (operationalised as twelve stopping strategies). We consider how well the proposed strategies perform and match up with real-world stopping behaviours. As part of our contribution, we also propose the Complex Searcher Model , a high-level conceptual searcher model that encodes stopping behaviours at different points throughout the search process (see Figure 1 below). Within the Complex Searcher Model, we also propose a new results page stopping decision point. From this new stopping decision point, searchers can obtain an impression of the page before deciding to enter or abandon it. Results presented and discussed demonstrate that searchers employ a range of different stopping strategies, with no strategy standing out in terms of performance and approximations offered. Stopping behaviours are clearly not fixed, but are rather adaptive in nature. This complex picture reinforces the idea that modelling stopping behaviour is difficult. However, simplistic stopping strategies do offer good performance and approximations, such as the frustration -based stopping strategy. This strategy considers a searcher's tolerance to non-relevance. We also find that combination strategies - such as those combining a searcher's satisfaction with finding relevant material, and their frustration towards observing non-relevant material - also consistently offer good approximations and performance. In addition, we also demonstrate that the inclusion of the additional stopping decision point within the Complex Searcher Model provides significant improvements to performance over our baseline implementation. It also offers improvements to the approximations of real-world searcher stopping behaviours. This work motivates a revision of how we currently model the search process and demonstrates that different stopping heuristics need to be considered within the models and measures that we use in Information Retrieval. Measures should be reformed according to the stopping behaviours of searchers. A number of potential avenues for future exploration can also be considered, such as modelling the stopping behaviours of searchers individually (rather than as a population), and to explore and consider a wider variety of different stopping heuristics under different search contexts. Despite the inherently difficult task that understanding and modelling the stopping behaviours of searchers represents, potential benefits of further exploration in this area will undoubtedly aid the searchers of future retrieval systems - with further work bringing about improved interfaces and experiences. Doctoral Supervisor Dr Leif Azzopardi (University of Strathclyde, Scotland) Examination Committee Professor Iadh Ounis (University of Glasgow, Scotland) and Dr Suzan Verberne (Leiden University, The Netherlands). Thanks to both of you for your insightful and fair questioning during the defence! Availability This thesis is available to download from http://www.dmax.org.uk/thesis/, or the University of Glasgow's Enlighten repository - see http://theses.gla.ac.uk/41132/. A Quick Thank You Five years of hard work has got me to the point at which I can now submit the abstract of my doctoral thesis to the SIGIR Forum. There have been plenty of ups and downs, but I'm super pleased with the result! Even though there is only a single name on the front cover of this thesis, there are many people who have helped me get to where I am today. You all know who you are - from my friends and family, those who granted me so many fantastic opportunities to travel and see the world - and of course, to Leif. Thanks to all of you for confiding your belief and trust in me, even when I may have momentarily lost that belief and trust in myself. This thesis is for you all.

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction caused by lymphoproliferative infiltration in the course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Background:Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the standard treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Only in rare cases, blockage may be caused by malignant tumors and even more exceptionally by lymphatic neoplasms so that biopsies are not routinely taken for diagnostic purposes.Methods:A computerized retrieval system was used for this retrospective study to identify all patients with histologically documented lymphoproliferative infiltration in the lacrimal drainage system from 2001 to 2009.Results:In four of 191 patients (2.1%), infiltration of the nasolacrimal sac mucosa with a small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)/chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) was found. Patients who develop symptoms like epiphora within the course of known CLL are highly suspicious for lymphoproliferative infiltration of the lacrimal drainage associated lymphoid tissue.Conclusion:A proactive approach with ophthalmologic consultation and DCR should be followed in these patients to avoid dacryocystitis.

Malignant eyelid tumors in Hong Kong 1997–2009

To determine the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of patients with malignant eyelid tumors in Hong Kong. A computerized retrieval system was used to identify all patients with histologically confirmed malignant eyelid tumors residing in Western Kowloon and the Southern New Territories, Hong Kong, during the 13-year period from 1997 to 2009. The patients' medical records were reviewed for clinical and demographic data. A total of 36 patients were identified; all were Chinese. The mean age at diagnosis was 73.4 ± 11.5 years. Women were more commonly affected. Each patient had 1 tumor. Tumors developed more commonly on the lower eyelid (n = 19; 52.8%) than on the upper eyelid (n = 11; 30.6%). The right eye was more often involved (n = 20; 55.6%). With regard to the type of tumor, 27 were basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (75%), 4 sebaceous gland carcinoma (11.1%), 2 squamous cell carcinoma (5.6%), 1 mucinous eccrine carcinoma (2.8%), 1 verrucous carcinoma (2.8%), and 1 metastatic carcinoma (2.8%). Most were treated by frozen section-guided excision and eyelid reconstruction. Recurrence occurred in 1 case only. Incidence was low until approximately 45 years of age, after which it rose sharply. The incidence continued to increase until above the age of 85 years. There was an overall increase in incidence from 0.6 per million in 1997 to 2.3 per million in 2009. Increasing incidence of malignant eyelid tumors was noticed in Hong Kong from 1997 to 2009, with BCC dominating the incidence trend. Recurrence after complete surgical excision was uncommon.

Searching information with a natural language dialogue system: a comparison of spoken vs. written modalities

This paper examines the effects of spoken vs. written dialogue modalities on the effectiveness of information search with a computerized retrieval system. Forty-eight adults familiar with the use of computers were asked to carry out six information retrieval tasks, engaging with the system using either spoken or written communication. The written modality was more efficient with regard to the number of dialogue turns, length of interaction with the system and mental workload. Even though the turns lasted longer in the written mode, they appeared to yield less mental workload. Moreover, spoken and written dialogues did not differ as regards the use of pronouns and articles. The implications for the development of natural-language dialogue systems are discussed.

Involvement of the lacrimal drainage system by leukemia or lymphoma.

To determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with leukemic or lymphomatous involvement of the lacrimal drainage system (LDS). A computerized retrieval system was used to identify patients with histologically proven leukemic or lymphomatous involvement of the LDS. Medical records were reviewed. Biopsies of the lacrimal sac or nasolacrimal duct obtained during dacryocystorhinostomies (DCR) performed at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) between January 19, 1989, and August 26, 1997, were positive for leukemia or lymphoma in 11 patients (15 LDS). Ten patients had previously diagnosed leukemia or lymphoma; the interval between the diagnosis of systemic disease and DCR averaged 5.8 years (range, 7 months to 13 years; median, 5 years). The median age at the time of LDS involvement was 72 years (range, 49 to 85 years). Seven patients (64%) were women, and all were white. The median postoperative follow-up after DCR was 38 months (range, 10 to 65 months). Eight patients had leukemic infiltration of the LDS, 2 patients had B-cell lymphoma, and 1 patient had cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Four patients had bilateral LDS involvement, and the remainder had unilateral disease (right eye, 1 patient; left eye, 6 patients). The most common initial presentation, in 9 patients (82%), was epiphora. Lacrimal irrigation of 2 LDS was deferred because of acute dacryocystitis. Of the remaining 13 systems, 8 were completely obstructed. The blockage was low (in the lower sac or in the nasolacrimal duct) in 6 systems and high (in the upper sac or common internal punctum) in 2 systems. Four LDS were anatomically patent to irrigation but were functionally obstructed. Chemotherapy was the primary treatment in 7 patients, whereas 4 patients underwent radiation therapy. Nine patients responded well to treatment, with alleviation of signs and symptoms, and none of these patients had local recurrence during the follow-up interval. Leukemic or lymphomatous involvement of the LDS is an unusual cause of tearing in elderly patients, but it should be suspected in patients with known systemic disease. Treatment comprising multiple interventions improves the signs and symptoms of this complication of lymphoproliferative disorders in most patients.

Complications of tube thoracostomy in trauma

Objective—To assess the complication rate of tube thoracostomy in trauma. To consider whether this rate is high enough to support a selective reduction in the indications for tube thoracostomy in...

Epidemiologic characteristics and clinical course of patients with malignant eyelid tumors in an incidence cohort in Olmsted county, Minnesota

Objective To determine the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of patients with malignant eyelid tumors in an incidence cohort. Design Cohort series. Participants A computerized retrieval system was used to identify all patients residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, who had a newly diagnosed malignant eyelid tumor during the 15-year interval from 1976 through 1990. The patients’ medical records were reviewed for demographic and clinical data. Intervention Surgical excision with frozen-section histopathologic analysis, Mohs’ micrographic excision, and electrodesiccation and curettage were the primary methods of treatment. Main outcome measures Survivorship free of tumor. Results The incidence cohort included 174 patients who each had 1 tumor; men and women were equally affected, and all patients were white. Tumors developed most commonly on the lower eyelid ( n = 85; 48.9%) and in the medial canthal region ( n = 48; 27.6%) but involved the right and left sides with equal frequency. Of the 174 tumors, 158 were basal cell carcinomas (90.8%), 15 were squamous cell carcinomas (8.6%), and 1 (0.6%) was a malignant melanoma. The age- and gender-adjusted incidence rates for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma were 14.35, 1.37, and 0.08 per 100,000 individuals per year, respectively. No cases of sebaceous gland carcinoma were identified. The 5- and 10-year recurrence rates for all tumors on the eyelid were 2% and 3%, respectively. The probability of an unrelated malignancy developing elsewhere in the body was approximately 9% at 5 years and 15% at 10 years. Conclusions Basal cell carcinoma is the most common malignant eyelid tumor in whites. The lower eyelid and medial canthus are the most frequent sites of origin. Men and women are equally affected. Recurrence after surgical excision is uncommon.

Making the Deuteromycota redundant: a practical integration of mitosporic and meiosporic fungi

A practical approach to combining mitosporic and meiosporic fungi in one classification is described. The taxonomic data base used with the computer retrieval system Entrez for searching both GenBank and MEDLINE has been revised to conservatively place mitosporic fungi in the appropriate meiosporic taxon, thereby making the Deuteromycota redundant. As more data are available, it will be possible to move mitosporic taxa adjacent to their closest meiosporic relatives at the genus level. Placing mitosporic individuals in meiosporic species, however, is unlikely to be practical in most cases. Key words: Deuteromycota, fungi imperfecti, Entrez, fungal phylogeny, GenBank, fungal classification.

GONIAT, a computer-retrieval system for Paleozoic ammonoids

GONIAT is designed as tool for investigations on the systematics of the Paleozoic ammonoids, their paleogeographic distribution, and their biostratigraphic range. This data base management system provides not only determinations based on morphological characteristics, but also information on occurrence, duration, literature, and phylogenetic relationships of every taxon of family, genus, and species levels. GONIAT is a relational data base. It consists of six independent data bases connected by three link information files: TAX for taxonomy, MORPHA and MORPHB for all distinctive morphological characters in adult or early and middle growth stages, LIT for literature, LOC for localities, and BOUND for biostratigraphy. In order to provide relevant time planes that can be used on a worldwide scale, radiometric dates as well as biostratigraphic names are used.

Radiotherapy of primary central nervous system lymphoma in patients with and without human immunodeficiency virus. Ten years of treatment experience at the University of California San Francisco.

Classic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a relatively uncommon occurrence, whereas the incidence of HIV positive PCNSL has increased dramatically during the past 5 years. Between 2% and 6% of all patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) will have PCNSL develop clinically, and as many as 11% will have PCNSL found at autopsy. In the United States, some of the earliest and most extensive experience with HIV positive PCNSL has occurred in San Francisco. This article reports on PCNSL in patients with and without HIV. Using our diagnosis-based computer retrieval system, we identified all patients treated with radiotherapy for PCNSL between January 1982 and January 1992 and reviewed their medical records. Population characteristics, risk factors and length of survival (LOS), were analyzed. Statistical methodology included the Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Fifty-six patients were identified with PCNSL, of which 41 were HIV positive and 15 were HIV negative. There was a fourfold increase in the total number of PCNSL cases during the time period 1987-1991 as compared with the preceding 5 years; these cases primarily were in the HIV positive group. The average Karnofsky performance score (KPS) in the HIV positive group was 50, whereas in the HIV negative group, the KPS was 35. However, the median LOS in the HIV positive group was 3 months, whereas in the HIV negative group it was 20 months. Within each group, there was a statistically significant correlation between KPS and LOS. Patients with HIV and PCNSL have a much shorter median LOS than do patients with PCNSL but without HIV; however, the outcome for both groups is dismal. Randomized clinical trials are needed to determine which patients with HIV might benefit from more aggressive therapy and to determine the optimal choice and dosages of chemoradiation therapy for patients with PCNSL without HIV.

299 ELECTROLYTE LEAKAGE FROM INDIVIDUAL MAIZE AND WHEAT SEEDS TO PREDICT GERMINATION PERCENTAGE AND RADICLE LENGTH

Multiple electroconductivity readings (μAmps) of leachates from individual seeds during the first 6 hr of imbibition was examined as a possible predictor of seed quality. Readings from each sample of 100 seeds were formed into frequency distributions and the mean, median. and internal slope were calculated using an automated computer retrieval system. Internal slope is a non-central tendency measure based on the slope of a line tangent to the inflection point of the S-shaped cumulative frequency distribution (CFD) of μAmps. Radicle lengths (3 days) and germination (7 days) percentages were regressed on each of the two measures of central tendency and also the CFD shape indicator, internal slope. None of the three predictors were satisfactory for estimating seed vigor (root lengths) of maize (Zea mays L.) or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or germination of wheat seed lots. Internal slope was useful in estimating viability of artificially aged maize seeds (r2= 0.91), which compared favorably with our previous results using naturally aged red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seed lots. Overall the seed quality of the unaged wheat lots was fairly high and the electrolyte leakage test was not sensitive enough to detect differences within these lots.

How important is the scientific literature in guiding clinical decisions? The case of magnetic resonance imaging.

Little is known about how information diffuses to clinicians and influences their purchase and use of new technology. This is especially true about the role of the scientific literature. As a case study, we examined the literature for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the years preceding and the first five years following its clinical introduction. Using a computerized retrieval system, we identified approximately 1,700 citations in which MRI was the major topic. The clinical literature on MRI was heavily concentrated in radiology journals. Less than 28% of articles compared MRI with alternative diagnostic technologies. During the first five years of clinical availability, the diffusion patterns of scientific articles and operational units mirrored the example set by computerized tomography (CT), in that a substantial number of units were purchased in both research and nonresearch settings before studies were available comparing them to alternative diagnostic technologies. These patterns of diffusion, combined with other studies of the MRI literature's content and methodology, suggest that less comprehensive and objective sources of information were important in early purchasing decisions. This study also suggests that the present readership and publication patterns of professional journals may not facilitate effective, rapid information dissemination about innovations to a broad spectrum of clinicians.

A case against instructing users of computerized retrieval systems

A case against instructing users of computerized retrieval systems

Incidence of cutaneous T cell lymphoma and other rare skin cancers in a defined population

Between 1970 and 1984 in Rochester, Minnesota, rare skin cancers developed in 15 local residents: cutaneous T cell lymphoma (six subjects), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (four), adenocarcinoma of sweat glands (two), Merkel cell carcinoma (one), liposarcoma (one), and extramammary Paget's disease (one). These cases were identified through a unique computerized retrieval system that is maintained at the Mayo Clinic for the population of Rochester, Minnesota. The annual incidences of these cancers in the Rochester population were 0.9, 0.5, 0.3, 0.2, 0.2, and 0.2 per 100,000 residents, respectively (standardized to 1980 U.S. population). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the incidences of these rare skin cancers in a well-defined population.

Pharmacophoric pattern matching in files of 3D chemical structures: evaluation of search performance

A computerized retrieval system is described which allows the interactive identification of pharmacophoric patterns in 3D chemical structures. A query pharmacophore in the system is matched against a file of structures using a three-stage retrieval mechanism. The initial search involves a rapid bit-string matching operation using screens denoting the presence or absence of interatomic distances that lie within certain predefined ranges. These ranges are selected by an analysis of the frequencies of occurrence of interatomic distances in the data file that is being searched. The second stage involves the generation of all interatomic distances in potentially matching structures in the file to ascertain whether all of the query distances are present. If this is the case, a final search is carried out to determine whether these distances are in the correct geometric orientation to each other; this search involves a novel matching algorithm based upon the set reduction techniques used for substructure searching in files of 2D chemical structures. The evaluation of the system has involved the searching of several pharmacophoric patterns against a 12 728-compound subset of the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Bank. Measurements of the numbers of structures matching at each of the three levels of search show that the system provides a highly efficient means of identifying structures containing a query pharmacophore.

BIBLIO: A computerized retrieval system for communication education

This article describes BIBLIO, a computerized reference retrieval system for articles, instructional practices, and ERIC reports published in Communication Education. Even though Communication Education has a narrow, specific purpose, retrieving information from past issues is difficult and time consuming. BIBLIO provides a dynamic, flexible, and usable computer program which assists both the teacher and the researcher in retrieving instructional materials.

Computer retrieval systems for analytical information in forensic science

The British Home Office Central Research Establishment [HOCRE (Forensic Science)] has been running computerized information retrieval programs for some years. The computer at HOCRE is used by analytical chemists in forensic science laboratories throughout the UK.

Trends in subject heading assignment in cataloging records during 1974–1978

The cataloging records for monographs and reports produced during 1974 and 1978 in the National Union Catalog and Government Reports Announcements were analysed and the characteristics of subject heading assignments determined. The study indicates that the assignment of subject headings is correlated not only with time, but with discipline, and document type also. The average rate of assignment during the period has been more than two. The study indicates the feasibility of developing “Boolean logic” based computerized retrieval systems for subject search. It also indicates growth of cataloging records in the subject files in the coming years for monographs in physical sciences and in engineering and technology.

Transfer of technology: computer equipment selection and staff training protocols (computerized retrieval systems)*

The choice of equipment for computerized retrieval systems is discussed in the light of training requirements for present staff. It is emphasized that the acceptance of purchased systems is highly dependent on the training effort made. Elements of systems networks, hardware and software are being related to the training techniques which are needed.

Australian commonwealth government publishing 1964–1978

The Sixth Special Report from the Joint Committee on Publications of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia reviews the Australian Government Publishing Service and its Role in Commonwealth Printing and Publishing from its conception in the 1964 Erwin Report to 1978. The creation of a central publishing service is fully vindicated by its achievements in publishing and design standards, and particularly by the establishment of government book-shops which greatly improve public accessibility to official publications. Rapid expansion of government publishing does not cover statutory bodies, except for their parliamentary reports. Over-centralization of mail order services and poor performance are severely criticized. The involvement of the Australian Government Publishing Service (AGPS) with print procurement for needs other than publications and with the Government Printing Office have been unsatisfactory, and operational separation and greater independence of the publishing and printing functions are recommended, with formal supervision and eventual oversight by a Board of Review and the Joint Committee on Publications, on parallels drawn from the USA and Canada. Pricing and sales policies of the AGPS are reviewed, and recommendations made for closer contact with Australian library and bibliographic authorities, improved bibliographic control and exchange arrangements, clarification of copyright in government publications, and a computer retrieval system for information for the Commonwealth Parliament. This paper critically examines the main recommendations of the Report, emphasizing those aspects which have a wider and practical relevance to the organization, position and performance of centralized government publishing systems elsewhere, as well as questioning some of the Joint Committee's conclusions. In particular, it draws attention to the illogicality of imposing administrative retrenchments on an expanding and essentially demand-oriented service.