Methods and means used in programming intelligent searches of technical documents

In order to meet the data research requirements of the Safety, Reliability & Quality Assurance activities at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), a new computer search method for technical data documents was developed. By their very nature, technical documents are partially encrypted because of the author's use of acronyms, abbreviations, and shortcut notations. This problem of computerized searching is compounded at KSC by the volume of documentation that is produced during normal Space Shuttle operations. The Centralized Document Database (CDD) is designed to solve this problem. It provides a common interface to an unlimited number of files of various sizes, with the capability to perform any diversified types and levels of data searches. The heart of the CDD is the nature and capability of its search algorithms. The most complex form of search that the program uses is with the use of a domain-specific database of acronyms, abbreviations, synonyms, and word frequency tables. This database, along with basic sentence parsing, is used to convert a request for information into a relational network. This network is used as a filter on the original document file to determine the most likely locations for the data requested. This type of search will locate information that traditional techniques, (i.e., Boolean structured key-word searching), would not find

Paper Session III-B - Automated Mainframe Data Collection in a Network Environment

The progress and direction of the computer industry have resulted in widespread use of dissimilar and incompatible mainframe data systems. Data collection from these multiple systems is a labor intensive task, hi the past, data collection has been restricted to the efforts of personnel specially trained on each system. Information is one of the most important resources an organization has. Any improvement in an organization\u27s ability to access and manage that information provides a competitive advantage. This problem of data collection is compounded at NASA sites by multi-center and contractor operations. The Centralized Automated Data Retrieval System (CADRS) is designed to provide a common interface that would permit data access, query, and retrieval from multiple contractor and NASA systems. The methods developed for CADRS have a strong commercial potential in that they would be applicable for any industry that needs inter-department, inter-company, or inter-agency data communications. The widespread use of multi-system data networks, that combine older legacy systems with newer decentralized networks, has made data retrieval a critical problem for information dependent industries. Implementing the technology discussed in this paper would reduce operational expenses and improve data collection on these composite data systems

Automated mainframe data collection in a network environment

The progress and direction of the computer industry have resulted in widespread use of dissimilar and incompatible mainframe data systems. Data collection from these multiple systems is a labor intensive task. In the past, data collection had been restricted to the efforts of personnel specially trained on each system. Information is one of the most important resources an organizations has. Any improvement in an organization's ability to access and manage that information provides a competitive advantage. This problem of data collection is compounded at NASA sites by multi-center and contractor operations. The Centralized Automated Data Retrieval System (CADRS) is designed to provide a common interface that would permit data access, query, and retrieval from multiple contractor and NASA systems. The methods developed for CADRS have a strong commercial potential in that they would be applicable for any industry that needs inter-department, inter-company, or inter-agency data communications. The widespread use of multi-system data networks, that combine older legacy systems with newer decentralized networks, has made data retrieval a critical problem for information dependent industries. Implementing the technology discussed in this paper would reduce operational expense and improve data collection on these composite data systems

Siegel Gauge in Vacuum String Field Theory

We study the star algebra of ghost sector in vacuum string field theory (VSFT). We show that the star product of two states in the Siegel gauge is BRST exact if we take the BRST charge to be the one found in hep-th/0108150, and the BRST exact states are nil factors in the star algebra. By introducing a new star product defined on the states in the Siegel gauge, the equation of motion of VSFT is characterized as the projection condition with respect to this new product. We also comment on the comma form of string vertex in the ghost sector.Comment: 13 pages, lanlmac; v3: comment adde

An Exact Prediction of N=4 SUSYM Theory for String Theory

We propose that the expectation value of a circular BPS-Wilson loop in N=4 SUSYM can be calculated exactly, to all orders in a 1/N expansion and to all orders in g^2 N. Using the AdS/CFT duality, this result yields a prediction of the value of the string amplitude with a circular boundary to all orders in alpha' and to all orders in g_s. We then compare this result with string theory. We find that the gauge theory calculation, for large g^2 N and to all orders in the 1/N^2 expansion does agree with the leading string theory calculation, to all orders in g_s and to lowest order in alpha'. We also find a relation between the expectation value of any closed smooth Wilson loop and the loop related to it by an inversion that takes a point along the loop to infinity, and compare this result, again successfully, with string theory.Comment: LaTeX, 22 pages, 3 figures. Argument corrected and two new sections adde

Ghost Kinetic Operator of Vacuum String Field Theory

Using the data of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of Neumann matrices in the 3-string vertex, we prove analytically that the ghost kinetic operator of vacuum string field theory obtained by Hata and Kawano is equal to the ghost operator inserted at the open string midpoint. We also comment on the values of determinants appearing in the norm of sliver state.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figure, lanlmac; v2: typos correcte

B field and squeezed states in Vacuum String Field Theory

We show that squeezed state solutions for solitonic lumps in Vacuum String Field Theory still exist in the presence of a constant B field. We show in particular that, just as in the B=0 case, we can write down a compact explicit form for such solutions.Comment: 15 pages, Latex, typos corrected, final versio

Ratio of Tensions from Vacuum String Field Theory

We show analytically that the ratio of the norm of sliver states agrees with the ratio of D-brane tensions. We find that the correct ratio appears as a twist anomaly.Comment: 13 pages, lanlmac; version to appear in JHE

Peer Observation Reports and Student Evaluations of Teaching: Who Are the Experts?

This study is an exploratory inquiry into the perceptions of university faculty regarding two forms of teaching evaluations, student evaluations of teaching (SET), and peer observation reports (POR). Which, if either, better assesses the quality of instruction? Who are the real experts in judging teaching quality: peers who are experts in their field or students who are the recipients of instruction? Results suggest that it is better not to rely on a single source of information as evidence of teaching effectiveness. SET and POR provide complementary information from differing perspectives. Advantages and disadvantages of both are discussed.Ce projet de recherche est une enquête portant sur les perceptions des professeurs universitaires relatives à deux formes d’évaluations de l’enseignement : les évaluations par les étudiants et les rapports d’observation par les pairs. Quelle méthode évalue le mieux la qualité de l’instruction? Qui sont réellement les experts en matière d’évaluation de la qualité d’enseignement : les pairs, experts dans leur domaine, ou les étudiants qui a qui on transmet l’instruction? Les résultats donnent à penser qu’il vaut mieux ne pas se fier à une seule source d’information comme preuves de l’efficacité de l’enseignement. L’information découlant des évaluations par les étudiants et celle que fournissent les rapports d’observation par les pairs proposent des perspectives différentes qui se complètent. Une discussion des avantages et des inconvénients des deux méthodes d’évaluation vient terminer l’article