Description Of Database Research Articles

Account of the first ICTV virus data sub-committee workshop on database descriptions Doorn, The Netherlands, 30th January–4th February 1994

Account of the first ICTV virus data sub-committee workshop on database descriptions Doorn, The Netherlands, 30th January–4th February 1994

School Knowledge for the Masses: World Models and National Primary Curricular Categories in the Twentieth Century.

Part 1 The worldwide institutionalization of primary school curricula: background - a perspective on the curriculum sand curricular research description of the curriculum database and the methodologies employed knowledge for the masses - world models and national curricula, 1920-1986 the origins and expansion of primary school curricula - 1800-1920 variant forms - cases of countries with distinct curricula. Part 2 Studies of specific subject areas: language instruction in national curricula, 1850-1986 - the effect of the global system a comparative and historical analysis of mathematics and science curricula, 1800-1986 the evolution and organization of the social science curriculum values education in the curriculum - some comparative empirical data the formation of new subjects in mass schooling - 19th century origins and 20th century diffusion of art and physical education conclusion - accounting for a world curriculum.

A fast and efficient method for 2D and 3D molecular shape description.

A new formalism for molecular shape description is described. The formalism, based on considering each molecule as a collection of its 3-atom submolecules, is applied to both the graph theory and geometrical coordinate representations of molecules. The timing results for shape description of several databases indicate that this new method is applicable to large databases. Furthermore, results from clustering a small database show good agreement with clustering results obtained by a distance-matching algorithm.

DIRECT: a query facility for multiple databases

The objective of this research project is to define a solution for integrating multiple databases. These databases contain structured data, typical for business applications. Important considerations are: to provide flexibility to adjust to changing data retrieval requirements, to accommodate different data models, and to focus on the user's role in defining the solution. DIRECT is a query facility for heterogeneous databases. The databases and their definitions can differ in their data models, names, types and encoded values. Instead of creating a global schema, descriptions of different databases are allowed to coexist. DIRECT assists the user in specifying a multi-database query and in identifying semantically equivalent data elements interactively. A multi-database query not only retrieves data from multiple databases, but also defines alternative schema representations, specifies semantically equivalent data elements and converts data values. DIRECT has been evaluated for its usability and exercised with operational databases that are part of an automated business system.

Beyond the Online Databases

This paper looks at various materials that may be used to answer search questions on the history of medicine that extend backward past the online databases. A brief description of the online databases is presented. A selected, annotated list of reference works in the history of medicine for the introductory level researcher comprises the largest portion of the text, with a few more specialized items enumerated as well. Some sources for obtaining used or out-of- print materials are appended.

Automated design data capture using relaxation techniques

A method that converts a Computer Aided Design (CAD) database description of a process control system into a frame-oriented knowledge base for an automated diagnostic control system is introduced. The system is unique in that relaxation labeling techniques borrowed from research in computer vision are used to resolve the functional composition of the diagnostic frames. The target system for the automated knowledge generation process uses frames to represent structure and function data at the component level and does not use inference rules. Failure detection is performed by constant analysis of the output functions. Diagnosis of failure is performed via functional inversion of the component transfer function represented in the component frame. Capture of the functional knowledge of a component is the most difficult task in the building of this type of knowledge base. A CAD database constructed for a particular process control system contains all the structural information required to describe the system, but little or no functional data. A functional description can be inferred in some cases from the CAD data, however, the complexity of such a system for a domain as large as process control is extensive.

A Database Approach to Managing an Occupational Therapy Department

Changing and often conflicting incentives in the current reimbursement environment require occupational therapy managers to develop adaptive administrative strategies. They must maximize productivity, create budgets, and develop marketing strategies. Accurate information provides the key to success in these tasks. This paper discusses the role of management information systems in the administration of an occupational therapy department and some of the essential factors in implementation. Creation of a database description, establishment of a process for collecting information and report development are explored.

The application of tense logic to database behavioral description

AbstractThis paper defines a presupposition‐free many‐sorted tense theory MQRT*=. This theory is applied to behavior description of historical database. Using this theory makes it possible to express clearly not only the usual schema information but also such behavioral aspects of schema as event, dynamic integrity constraint, etc. This is the first time behavior description has been provided by a complete theory. This theory is also applied to schema description of historical database. Providing both schema description and behavior description amounts to total, full description of historical database.

Pathological findings in mine workers: I. Description of the PATHAUT database.

A computerized system for recording the results of structured, numerically coded autopsy reports on various types of mine workers has been in operation at the National Centre for Occupational Health in Johannesburg since 1975. Historical developments, particularly those associated with compensation for occupational disease, have resulted in very high autopsy rates, especially among whites. Since its inception, the pathology automation (PATHAUT) system has accumulated the results of more than 33,000 autopsies. The data set is described in the hope of stimulating interest in the possible uses of the data and encouraging collaborative research. Some characteristics of the database with potential research implications are discussed. These include differing age and work patterns for blacks and whites and geographic factors with potential influence on whether a body or only the cardiorespiratory organs are sent for examination.

On the development of an integrated mechanical analysis system applied to PWR nuclear fuel assemblies

A general data base has been developed in order to handle any data used in the mechanical design. This data base required the development of a DBMS, based on an extended network scheme or navigational scheme, which allows the creation of any data base configuration defined by a Data Base Description Language. It is written in Fortran 5 Language and generates a Data Manipulation Language in standard Fortran “Call”. This general data base is essentially composed of two combined parts: one allowing to describe any mechanical structure and the other defining a material data base. This system is presently in a prototype state and used to test and define the final architecture of the data base and the structure of the elementary data. At the same time the research effort has been devoted to the coupling between the data base and the application programs (Data Processor DP). This requires the development of an application programs data base and a process design management system, which is able, with a Data Processor Description Language, to generate the application file and the related data. The main objectives in developing such a system are: 1. - Application of standard calculation methods to a data base sub-system, 2. - Implementation of a data modification in the design process, 3. - Rapid generation of new applications.

Clinic/3000: A New Approach for Clinical Database Implementation and Management

CLINIC/3000 is an information system designed for an integrated management of clinical trials on the basis of a relational database. The database description has been separated into three levels: the internal schema (which describes how the information is stored and managed by the operating system), the conceptual schema (which describes how a case report and a study protocol can be modelled in a database), and the external schema (which describe how data can be viewed by the users). The information and the relationship between the different sections of a case report form are recorded in a study dictionary. High level languages make the system accessible to any scientists for description and dynamical modification of the structure of a study, for retrieval of information and generation of tables, graphics and standard reports. A local and remote double data entry system ensures integrity of data and a multilevel quality control procedure guarantees consistency of data.

A Design of a Data Model Based on Abstraction of Symbols

Abstract Databse System (ADS) is introduced as a data model in which the notions of symbol and abstraction play a fundemental role in the formal description and structuring of databases. The mechanism of abstraction in ADS is based on the abstraction operator of the lambda calculus. Important concepts in data modeling, such as entity set, entity type, property, attribute, relations, association, constraint, type checking and cardinality, are formally representable in the framework of abstractions on symbols. Thus, the number of primitive concepts in ADS is relatively small. ADS is part of an effort to develop a design methodology for an enduring medical information system, an area where frequent changes in the conceptual schema are anticipated and multi-level abstraction is advantageous.

Production Control Based on the Topis-System

The paper starts from the concept of the JUPITER-system, wich is composed of three basic levels and three higher levels, in order to give a detailed description of data base and production control levels. The basic structure of the TOPIS-system (the TOtal production Information System for Production Planning and Control) comprises three functional unities: system analysis with classification, productional-manufacturing fun-ctional unity, and business-functional unity. In the functional systems analysis its subsystems are discussed in more detail. The data base is effected on the basis of pro-gram development in FORTRAN and COBOL versions and by use of TOTAL-system data base, trying to meet the needs of industry and integrate the activities of all JUPITER-system levels. The system architecture implies the relationship system-subsystem-module, where subsystem contains certain planning and control functions. Output reports of individual subsystems of the TOPIS-system, as well as outputs from the business factors classification processor, are also shown in the paper. In the full realization of computer integrated manufacturing, the subsystems of a production control system should be built, in the future, so as to outgrow the present-day level of elementary applications and create a uniform system for industry, in which the solutions are integrated with CAD/CAM activities. A theoretical basis for such an approach is seen in the theory of systems composition and decomposition, which is a fundamental tool for developing future computerized information systems.

User Friendly Applications to Clinical Study Databases and Data Access

Smith Kline & French uses a fourth generation database language because both the databases and data access programs can be modified quickly. Because we have such a powerful development tool, our clinical studies program is being developed at a rapid pace. Another tool used in support of clinical studies is a data dictionary package which fully defines all data files and data items. The primary uses of this dictionary are creating documentation and generating file descriptions of the clinical databases using a special dictionary interface. The dictionary also allows us to standardize data items and their definitions across several clinical studies. Smith Kline & French Labs is in the process of developing a standard way of collecting all clinical data items; however, these standards are not firmly defined. Our approach is to capture all the data required by the user. Since this is a new approach for us, the exact definition of what “all the data” is can never be finalized. We must allow our users to create...

Hints for Searching the Health Planning and Administration File (HEALTH)

The history, structure and coverage of the Health Planning and Administration File (HEALTH) are described. Detailed explanation of search strategies are accompanied by sample searches, giving the reader insight into the appropriate use of HEALTH. This article concludes with a description of other databases which can be used to supplement and complement HEALTH.

A prescriptive database interface methodology for end-users

This paper describes an approach to constructing database interfaces for end-users; this approach is based on a semantic database model and an associated prescriptive methodology for the specification of database manipulations. By utilizing a meaning-based description of a database, it is possible to provide a simple, structured user interface that guides a user through the process of specifying a database manipulation (transaction). This prescriptive approach to database user interfaces can also be used to provide browsing facilities for database systems, and to provide the ability to persue both a database's contents and its structural organization (schema). A set of basic design principles for database end-user interfaces is described, and the limitations of current approaches to database interfaces are reviewed. A specific methodology for the specification of database transactions is described, in the context of a particular semantic database model. A prototype end-user interface tool, called a transaction specification aid, is discussed; this transaction specification aid uses a database description (schema) defined with a semantic database model to guide a user through the process of understanding the contents of a database and specifying a database transaction.

Database description with SDM

SDM is a high-level semantics-based database description and structuring formalism (database model) for databases. This database model is designed to capture more of the meaning of an application environment than is possible with contemporary database models. An SDM specification describes a database in terms of the kinds of entities that exist in the application environment, the classifications and groupings of those entities, and the structural interconnections among them. SDM provides a collection of high-level modeling primitives to capture the semantics of an application environment. By accommodating derived information in a database structural specification, SDM allows the same information to be viewed in several ways; this makes it possible to directly accommodate the variety of needs and processing requirements typically present in database applications. The design of the present SDM is based on our experience in using a preliminary version of it. SDM is designed to enhance the effectiveness and usability of database systems. An SDM database description can serve as a formal specification and documentation tool for a database; it can provide a basis for supporting a variety of powerful user interface facilities, it can serve as a conceptual database model in the database design process; and, it can be used as the database model for a new kind of database management system.

Applicability of the FASTBUS Standard to Distributed Control

The new FASTBUS standard has been designed to provide a framework for distributed processing in both experimental data acquisition and accelerator control. The features of FASTBUS which support distributed control are a priority arbitration scheme which allows intercrate as well as intracrate message flow between processors and slave devices; and a high bandwidth to permit efficient sharing of the data paths by high-speed devices. Sophisticated diagnostic aids permit system-wide error checking and/or correction. Software has been developed for large distributed systems. This consists of a system data base description, and initialization algorithms to allocate address space and establish preferred message routes. A diagnostics package is also being developed, based on an independent Ethernet-like serial link. The paper describes available hardware and software, on-going developments, and current applications.

Physical Distribution from the Practitioner's Point of View

Although one recent study concluded that physical distribution has reached semi‐maturity, the structure of the field has yet to be clearly defined. Despite the attempts of practitioners and academicians alike to portray PD, writers in the field have not provided a comprehensive, databased description of its structure which can be widely referred to the various firms engaged in distribution.That is, we still do not have generalisable empirical evidence on what constitutes the areas of PD and how they are related to one another.

The Globe and Mail database — a Canadian first

There are many databases containing newspaper items available today. The Globe and Mail database is the first example of the entire text of a major daily newspaper available publicly online. This article notes the events leading up to this achievement, gives a general description of the database and a detailed outline of its file elements as well as comments on future developments.