Malcolm J. Taylor

Automated assistance in the formulation of search statements for bibliographic databases

Abstract We report on the design and construction of features of an automated query system which will assist pharmacologists who are not information specialists to access the Derwent Drug File (DDF) pharmacological database. Our approach was to first elucidate those search skills of the search intermediary which might prove tractable to automation. Modules were then produced which assist in the three important subtasks of search statement generation, namely vocabulary selection, the choice of context indicators and query reformulation. Vocabulary selection is facilitated by approximate string matching, morphological analysis, browsing and menu searching. The context of the study, such as treatment or metabolism, is determined using a system of advisory menus. The task of query reformulation is performed using user feedback on retrieved documents, thesaurus relations between document index terms and term postings data. Use is made of diverse information sources, including electronic forms of printed search aids, a thesaurus and a medical dictionary. The system will be of use both to semicasual users and experienced intermediaries. Many of the ideas developed should prove transportable to domains other than pharmacology: the techniques for thesaurus manipulation are designed for use with any hierarchical thesaurus.

Approaches to the construction of a medical informatics glossary and thesaurus

In a project concerned with establishing a glossary and thesaurus for the medical informatics domain, various approaches to the task have been investigated. The developers take the view that a glossary should be a coherent system of terms, reflecting a coherent system of concepts that underlies a body of knowledge about a domain. A framework for the conceptual analysis of the concepts/terms underlying the domain has been developed. The emphasis of this framework is on how the concepts relate together. This work has given an important insight into how the practical task of establishing well-structured vocabularies for a field can be better achieved. An eclectic approach to term selection was adopted. Criteria for assessing what constitutes good definitions for concepts in a field were examined. Using all these approaches glossaries, thesauri and domain models of the medical informatics field are being developed. Another aspect of our work of particular interest is the development of attributed definitions from which inheritance patterns can be defined.

System design of data acquisition units

Abstract This paper considers the system design of data acquisition units and takes as an example the design of a unit for the MOS 6502 microprocessor although the control logic of the final system may be readily adapted to other microprocessors. The MOS 6502 is used in both the Apple II and Commodore PET desktop microcomputers.

Design of externally triggered data acquisition units

Abstract Externally triggered data acquisition units are characterized by the fact that each analogue input channel has an associated control line whose function is to define when the analogue data is valid. Three types of unit are considered: the single-channel unit, the asynchronous multichannel unit and the synchronous multichannel unit. System designs are described for the MOS 6502 microprocessor. The control logic of the final systems may also be readily adapted to other microprocessor types. The MOS 6502 is chosen as an example since it is used in such units as the Apple II, Comodore Pet and BBC desktop microcomputers.

MUSiCAL: an object-oriented hypermedia data model for the reuse of museum information for computer-aided learning and the World-Wide Web

Abstract As museum databases are computerized, a rich and extensive resource that could be reused to create World Wide Web pages and computer-aided learning materials is being created. This reuse can be facilitated using a complex set of views of museum data for many different contexts and applications. This paper presents MUSiCAL, a data model and methodology for the structuring and encoding of all types of museum information to do this. This model supports all museum uses of the information, and the retrieval and manipulation of this material by computer aided learning and World Wide Web authors. In this model, museum information is stored as distinct units called entity-objects, which capture all information relating to an object, person, place or company. Novel hypermedia techniques (called layers and wrappers) are used to create varied abstractions of the entity-objects for different users and uses. Material is stored in a context independent manner, but context sensitive views can be created, allowing units of information to be connected together in more than one contextual view. These structures facilitate the organisation and retrieval of objects and create a varied range of abstractions to help support reuse.

A hypermedia data model for public space and computer aided learning

Frameworks for the construction of CAL systems and the wide availability of multimedia authoring tools like Asymetrix Toolbook and Microsoft Visual Basic, are aleviating some of the technical difficulties of courseware creation. However problems of locating content materials and ensuing use and copyright considerations are still barriers. This paper examines a potential source of materials for several areas of teaching and how these sources may usefully be managed.

Flexible interface based on the peripheral interface structure

Abstract A technique whereby a single port of a peripheral interface adaptor (PIA) is used as the basis of a flexible interface structure is described. In this way, all peripheral interfacing may be accomplished through the single PIA port. The technique finds application in the connection of interface units to desk-top microcomputers where it may not be appropriate to interface at the processor bus level. Interface modules designed in this way will be compatible with any microcomputer offering a single PIA port.