Smart Search in Newspaper Archives Using Topic Maps

The OmniPaper project has implemented three information retrieval prototypes in the area of electronic news publishing. One prototype uses SOAP as communication protocol between the central system and a number of distributed news archives. The second prototype uses an RDF metadata database, enabling direct metadata queries to the central system. Finally the Topic Map prototype uses query expansion and semantic linking for smart metadata search. The Topic Map prototype enhances thesearch experience by implementing a knowledge layer that combines the semantic content of a lexical database, consisting of concepts and keywords, with a metadata-set of newspaper articles. The linking between both is currently implemented at the level of keywords but will be developed at the level of concepts in the final prototype. The knowledge layer has been designed from a Topic Map point of view, although the XTM syntax has not been used to avoid performance issues. The consortium’s adopted view on information publishing and retrieval considers querying and navigation as two very related actions that can both be captured under the name “search for relevant information”. Navigation forces the user to followpredefined paths whereas querying enables the user to look freely for a suitable starting point. The query and navigation functionality is provided through a web engine and is build on top of the information structure of the knowledge layer

An absolute measurement of the neutron production rate of a spent nuclear fuel sample used for depletion code validation

A method to determine the neutron production rate of a spent nuclear fuel segment sample by means of non-destructive assay conducted under standard controlled-area conditions is described and demonstrated. A neutron well counter designed for routine nuclear safeguards applications is applied. The method relies on a transfer procedure that is adapted to the hot cell facilities at the Laboratory for High and Medium level Activity of SCK CEN in Belgium. Experiments with 252Cf(sf) sources, certified for their neutron emission rate, were carried out at the Joint Research Centre to determine the characteristics of the detection device. Measurements of a segment of a spent nuclear fuel rod were carried out at SCK CEN resulting in an absolute and non-destructive measurement of the neutron production rate avoiding any reference to a representative spent nuclear fuel sample to calibrate the device. Results of these measurements were used to study the performance of depletion codes, i.e., ALEPH2, SCALE, and Serpent2. The study includes a code-to-code and code-to-experiment comparison using different nuclear data libraries

The first e-Sampling Proficiency Test in the area of food quality and safety

The Community Reference Laboratory for Heavy Metals in Feed and Food (CRL-HM) organised a course on "Uncertainty of Sampling" attended by National Reference Laboratories. After the introductory lecture by Prof. M. Ramsey the first electronic proficiency test on sampling (e-SPT), developed in the frame of the collaboration between the IRMM and the University of Sussex, was carried out. A total of 16 participants reported results. The purpose of the exercise was to monitor the "nitrate contamination in a lettuce field". The same nitrate concentration profile was used throughout the exercise. Participants were guided along the exercise; they collected two compound samples and reported their measurement results. The spreadsheet application accounted for sampling and analytical uncertainties, so that every participant provided four experimental results (two independent analytical measurements per composite sample). The reported results were analysed using the robust ANOVA program (ROBAN). Between participants, within-participant sampling, within-participant analytical and within-participant measurement uncertainties were evaluated. Although the results of a real sampling proficiency test estimate better the uncertainty from sampling,the e-SPT helps to learn how to design better real sampling proficiency tests

Abstract “Braillekrant ” and “DiGiKrant”: a Daily Newspaper for Visually Disabled Readers

At present Belgium is one of the rare countries that have a daily newspaper accessible to visually impaired readers. Both an electronic version (DiGiKrant) and a Braille paper version (BrailleKrant) are published on a day-to-day basis. This paper shows what challenges exist for visually impaired readers to read a paper and how these challenges can be overcome. It further explains how the accessible newspapers are being created. In the publication process the XML standard is extensively used, not only as an exchange format between content providers and the publishers, but also as a format enabling a usable access to the electronic newspaper by the visually impaired reader. The paper shows which information formats are used and how the process of conversion between them works.