Glynn Harmon

The measurement of information

Abstract This paper views information as a residual or catalytic form of energy which regulates other forms of energy in natural and artificial systems. Accordingly, attempts can be made to measure information directly or indirectly through the use of conventional energy equations. Information can be measured in terms of a basic unit, I (a set consisting of one or more algorithms and heuristics plus data) which when implemented results in work equivalent to one joule of energy. The joule, an international system (SI) unit, can be translated into other standard units of energy. The impact of information use on energy expenditure or conservation can be measured by contrasting an informed systems energy effectiveness and efficiency with that of the same or an identical uninformed system, holding other factors equal. Likewise, the value of information can be measured through the use of conventional money or time units. Future research could address the two broad areas of (1) parallel algorithmic and heuristic processing, both human and computer, at different levels of complexity, and (2) development of a matrix or “periodic table” classification to represent with SI units the diverse kinds of information elements and groups. Conventional energy equations could support the derivation of new or more refined information measures. Case data could be developed to represent instances whereby intelligent systems substitute information-intensive behavior for energy-, capital- or time-intensive behavior. Ultimately, such case data could provide a basis for statistical inferences or mathematical deductions relevant to extensive development of information and software metrics.

Remembering William Goffman: Mathematical information science pioneer

This paper reviews the career and legacy of William (Bill) Goffman, who served as a researcher, Professor, Dean and Emeritus at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, from 1959 to 2000. Goffman pioneered mathematical information science broadly and in several key areas. First, he applied disease epidemiology concepts to model accurately the spread of knowledge and the formation of knowledge systems and their ecologies, including the dynamics of scientific discovery. Second, he proposed significant improvements in information retrieval through the deployment of multi-valued logic, appropriate file ordering, effective and efficient retrieval measures, and simplified retrieval approaches, including early work in citation-based searching. Third, Goffman applied Bradford-like distributions to model effective core research literature collection development and usage. Fourth, he developed original epidemiology models, and was an early contributor in biomedical informatics. His mathematical contributions have stood the test of time and will continue to be applicable indefinitely.

Information and Metaenergy

The prefix meta is used to denote or imply between, with, or after. Meta is used to specify that which transcends, goes beyond, is more highly organized, and yet is associated with something else. Meta also implies change or transformation as in metamorphosis.1 Energy, from the Greek energeia (en in; ergon work) was used in Aristotelian philosophy to denote “existence in actuality”. In general, energy means activity, power of action or the capacity for doing work.2 The term metaenergy is used in this paper as that which occurs between, with or after energy. Metaenergy is also treated as that which is instrumental in the change, transformation and control of energy.

Improving HIV/AIDS Knowledge Management Using EHRs

Background A primary goal for the development of EHRs and EHR-related technologies should be to facilitate greater knowledge management for improving individual and community health outcomes associated with HIV / AIDS. Most of the current developments of EHR have focused on providing data for research, patient care and prioritization of healthcare provider resources in other areas. More attention should be paid to using information from EHRs to assist local, state, national, and international entities engaged in HIV / AIDS care, research and prevention strategies. Unfortunately the technology and standards for HIV-specific reporting modules are still being developed. Methods: A literature search and review supplemented by the author’s own experiences with electronic health records and HIV / AIDS prevention strategies will be used. This data was used to identify both opportunities and challenges for improving public health informatics primarily through the use of latest innovations in EHRs. Qualitative analysis and suggestions are offered for how EHRs can support knowledge management and prevention strategies associated with HIV infection. Results: EHR information, including demographics, medical history, medication and allergies, immunization status, and other vital statistics can help public health practitioners to more quickly identify at-risk populations or environments; allocate scarce resources in the most efficient way; share information about successful, evidenced-based prevention strategies; and increase longevity and quality of life. Conclusion: Local, state, and federal entities need to work more collaboratively with NGOs, community-based organizations, and the private sector to eliminate barriers to implementation including cost, interoperability, accessibility, and information security.

The Importance of Marketing in the Library and Information Science Curriculum

SUMMARY Marketing consists of finding, diagnosing and filling the needs of relevant clientele through mutually beneficial exchange relationships, and doing so better than ones competitors. Marketing is important in the curriculum because the curriculum is a market offering to students, employers, funders, and other clientele. During the first half of the twentieth century, institutional and production models dominated the curriculum, despite an undercurrent marketing movement that centered on clientele research. Contemporary library and information science curricula are more marketing oriented, but have yet to bridge the divide between system-centered approaches and clientele-centered approaches. A stronger marketing orientation appears to be emerging in the avant-garde information schools, as they promote the development of information cybermarketing, digital libraries, effective human-computer interfaces, and user-centered paradigms. Ultimately, the objective of marketing is to fill clientele needs so directly that the promotion and selling of systems or services is rendered largely superfluous.

Bioinformatics in information science education. Sponsored by SIG BIO, SIG ED

To support the introduction of bioinformatics education into information science curricula, panel members and other participants will attempt to define briefly the nature and scope of bioinformatics and its significance for information science education. Discussions will also explore emerging opportunities for program graduates in bioinformatics research, professional practice, and enterprise.

Measuring profitability impacts of information technology: Use of risk adjusted measures

This study focuses on understanding how investments in information technology are reflected in the income statements and balance sheets of firms. Today, little doubt exists that information technology is being used by organizations in a wide variety of settings and ways and that information technology is critical for the smooth operation of many organizations. Further, a strong body of research exists showing that information technology usage is positively correlated with organizational productivity. However, empirical evidence of information technology contributing to corporate profitability has not been forthcoming. Although the income statements, balance sheets, and cash-flow statements all together summarize the financial structure, health and profitability of firms but still much doubt and confusion exists over the impacts of information technology usage on a firms “hard” numbers such as revenues, cost, profit margins, or financial ratios and structure. So far, only a few studies have found a significant positive relationship between information technology and some aspect of corporate profitability. The present research argues that the inability of earlier studies to identify the relationship between information technology investments and bottom-line performance is in part because of methodological reasons. This study first defines and develops risk-adjusted measures of corporate profitability. Then, it examines the income statements and balance sheets of more than 500 firms that are leading users of information technology for the period 1988-98. Finally, the study shows that the relationship between information technology investments and corporate profitability is much better explained by using risk-adjusted measures of corporate profitability than using the same measures of corporate profitability but unadjusted for risk.

Progress in communication sciences

No wonder you activities are, reading will be always needed. It is not only to fulfil the duties that you need to finish in deadline time. Reading will encourage your mind and thoughts. Of course, reading will greatly develop your experiences about everything. Reading progress in communication sciences is also a way as one of the collective books that gives many advantages. The advantages are not only for you, but for the other peoples with those meaningful benefits.

Expert Systems for Knowledge Engineering: Modes of Development

The problems of human-computer interface design will be confronted increasingly by human knowledge engineers-those who acquire and incorporate the knowledge of domain experts and other users into expert or knowledge-based systems. Knowledge engineers thus occupy a central role in integrating friendly use with user-friendly systems. But knowledge engineering expertise itself is already targeted for expert system development.

Information Measurement in Natural and Artificial Systems

In the continuing quest for operational definitions of information, this paper analyzes samples of data and information measurements used in biological systems at the genetic, cellular, and organ levels. The transduction of energy into information in biological systems yields information in the form of genetic code words (condons), bit sequences, analog codes, and paired chemical markers. Pragmatic information measures applicable to many artificial systems (robots, energy information systems, realtime systems) can be expressed in terms of international system (SI) metric units or the economic productivity units of time or money. Natural and artificial systems have in common identifiable sets of subsystems which are dedicated to processing information: input transducers, internal transducers, channels and nets, decoders, associators, memory, deciders, encoders, and output transducers. Transducers convert energy into information, or conversely. Intelligent systems can substitute informationintensive behavior for energy-intensive behavior, or for capital- or time-intensive behavior. Ratios of energy used by systems to process information tend to be very small fractions of the total energy used by these systems. However, controversy exists between proponents of the information-communications paradigm and those who regard information as a highly refined form of system control energy. Fresh approaches to information measurement are needed. New generations of real-time systems should provide opportunities to measure relationships between real-time information flows and energy flows in object systems or processes.