A study on the use of summaries and summary-based query expansion for a question-answering task

In this paper we report an initial study on the effectiveness of query-biased summaries for a question answering task. Our summarisation system presents searchers with short summaries of documents. The summaries are composed of a set of sentences that highlight the main points of the document as they relate to the query. These summaries are also used as evidence for a query expansion algorithm to test the use of summaries as evidence for interactive and automatic query expansion. We present the results of a set of experiments to test these two approaches and discuss the relative success of these techniques

Using segmented objects in ostensive video shot retrieval

This paper presents a system for video shot retrieval in which shots are retrieved based on matching video objects using a combination of colour, shape and texture. Rather than matching on individual objects, our system supports sets of query objects which in total reflect the user’s object-based information need. Our work also adapts to a shifting user information need by initiating the partitioning of a user’s search into two or more distinct search threads, which can be followed by the user in sequence. This is an automatic process which maps neatly to the ostensive model for information retrieval in that it allows a user to place a virtual checkpoint on their search, explore one thread or aspect of their information need and then return to that checkpoint to then explore an alternative thread. Our system is fully functional and operational and in this paper we illustrate several design decisions we have made in building it

Clustering the information space using top-ranking sentences : a study of user interaction

By considering sentences selected by a query-biased sentence extraction model from the top-retrieved documents, we create a personalised information space which is characterised by the presence of search terms. We cluster this information space, and enable searchers to interact with the resulting clusters. In order to examine whether users can recognise, and benefit from, the clustered organisation, we compare user interaction and performance between an actual clustering and a pseudo-clustering of the information space for completing information seeking tasks. The results provide evidence for the utility and meaningfulness of the clustered organisation

Question-answering, relevance feedback and summarisation : TREC-9 interactive track report

In this paper we report on the effectiveness of query-biased summaries for a question-answering task. Our summarisation system presents searchers with short summaries of documents, composed of a series of highly matching sentences extracted from the documents. These summaries are also used as evidence for a query expansion algorithm to test the use of summaries as evidence for interactive and automatic query expansion

Notes on a Collection of Mammals from Northwestern Iowa

The University of Michigan Museum has acquired a considerable number of specimens of mammals from Northwestern Iowa during the past five years. Most of the material was obtained by the expedition of 1907, but a number of specimens have been received from residents. The museum ls particularly indebted to Mr. Nels Hansen, of Ruthven, Iowa, who has sent in a considerable amount of valuable materia

Ivory Billed Woodpecker

A 1974 watercolor print of two birds on a tree branch by artist John A Ruthven.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/university_art_collection/1130/thumbnail.jp

Carolina Paraquets

A 1992 watercolor print of three birds near branches.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/university_art_collection/1129/thumbnail.jp

Kentucky\u27s Coal Industry: Historical Trends and Future Opportunities

Coal has been produced in Kentucky since the late 18th century. In the early years, all mining was by underground methods, but surface mining became the dominant method during and after World War II. In recent years, surface-mine production in both fields has decreased while underground mining has increased. In the last half of this century, the traditional steam coal market for locomotives has virtually disappeared, leaving electric power generation and coking coal for the steel industry as the principal markets. More than half of all coal produced in the State has been produced in the last 25 years. Whether this level of production can be profitably sustained is questionable. More than 50 percent of the coal in eastern Kentucky is Jess than 28 in. thick, while more than 69 percent of the coal in western Kentucky is greater than 42 in. thick. Although eastern Kentucky\u27s resources are thinner, they have a lower sulfur content and higher calorific value than western Kentucky\u27s. Traditional resource estimates have overestimated the amount of coal that can actually be mined because they have not taken into account factors such as competing land uses and geologic and engineering constraints. KGS is participating in national programs to estimate coal availability and recoverability. Results of selected study areas suggest that as little as 50 percent of the original resource is available for mining, whereas only 20 percent is economically recoverable. It is uncertain yet whether these averages are indicative of all of Kentucky\u27s coal resources. Regional assessments of Kentucky\u27s most important coals, which incorporate coal availability methods, are under way. A number of regulatory and taxation issues will have an impact on the coal industry in Kentucky, but how much of an impact is uncertain. These issues include the Clean Air Act Amendments, liability for unreel aimed surface mines, regulatory flexibility to permit changes in postmine land use, and changes in the State\u27s workers\u27 compensation law. Advances in thin-seam and remote-mining technology will be crucial, particularly in eastern Kentucky, where most of the remaining coal occurs in thin seams. improvements in coal-preparation technology could make Kentucky\u27s higher sulfur coals more attractive. There may be potential for extraction of methane gas from coal beds, as an energy by-product. Detailed knowledge of the physical and chemical character of Kentucky\u27s coal beds will be vital in their development. Acquisition of this knowledge could be facilitated by cooperation among private industry, public agencies, and research institutes

An information foraging theory based user study of an adaptive user interaction framework for content-based image retrieval

This paper presents the design and results of a task-based user study, based on Information Foraging Theory, on a novel user interaction framework - uInteract - for content-based image retrieval (CBIR). The framework includes a four-factor user interaction model and an interactive interface. The user study involves three focused evaluations, 12 simulated real life search tasks with different complexity levels, 12 comparative systems and 50 subjects. Information Foraging Theory is applied to the user study design and the quantitative data analysis. The systematic findings have not only shown how effective and easy to use the uInteract framework is, but also illustrate the value of Information Foraging Theory for interpreting user interaction with CBIR