Scientific And Technical Data In A New Era

Topics dealt with: Bioscience and biotechnology; Industry and technology; Safety and environmental protection; Geo- and space sciences; Scientific aspects of collecting and distributing data; Legal and social aspects of data dissemination; Innovations in data handling.

"Reinventing Discovery argues that we are in the early days of the most dramatic change in how science is done in more than 300 years. This change is being driven by new online tools, which are transforming and radically accelerating scientific discovery"--

This volume brings together the experience of specialists in the entire field of applications of Materials Science. The volume contains 196 of the excellent papers presented at the conference. This multidisciplinary meeting was held to bring together workers in a wide range of materials science and engineering activities who employ common analytical and experimental methods in their day to day work. The results of the meeting are of worldwide interest, and will help to stimulate future research and analysis in this area.

J.-E DUBOIS and N. GERSHON As with Volume 1 in this series, this book was inspired by the Symposium on "Communications and Computer Aided Systems" held at the 14th International CODATA Conference in September 1994 in Chambery, France. This book was conceived and influenced by the discussions at the Symposium and most of the contributions were written following the Conference. Whereas the first volume dealt with the numerous challenges facing the information revolution, especially its communication aspects, this one provides an insight into the recent tools provided by computer science for handling the complex aspects of scientific and technological data. This volume, "Modeling Complex Data for Creating Information," is concerned with real and virtual objects often involved with data handling processes encountered frequently in modeling physical phenomena and systems behavior. Topics concerning modeling complex data for creating information include: • Object oriented approach for structuring data and knowledge • Imprecision and uncertainty in information systems • Fractal modeling and shape and surface processing • Symmetry applications for molecular data The choice of these topics reflects recent developments in information systems technologies. One example is object oriented technology. Recently, research, development and applications have been using object-oriented modeling for computer handling of data and data management. Object oriented technology offers increasingly easy-to-use software applications and operating systems. As a result, science and technology research and applications can now provide more flexible and effective services.

Since Galileo corresponded with Kepler, the community of scientists has become increasingly international. A DNA sequence is as significant to a researcher in Novosibirsk as it is to one in Pasadena. And with the advent of electronic communications technology, these experts can share information within minutes. What are the consequences when more bits of scientific data cross more national borders and do it more swiftly than ever before? Bits of Power assesses the state of international exchange of data in the natural sciences, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and challenges. The committee makes recommendations about access to scientific data derived from public funding. The volume examines: Trends in the electronic transfer and management of scientific data. Pressure toward commercialization of scientific data, including the economic aspects of government dissemination of the data. The implications of proposed changes to intellectual property laws and the role of scientists in shaping legislative and legal solutions. Improving access to scientific data by and from the developing world. Bits of Power explores how these issues have been addressed in the European Community and includes examples of successful data transfer activities in the natural sciences. The book will be of interest to scientists and scientific data managers, as well as intellectual property rights attorneys, legislators, government agencies, and international organizations concerned about the electronic flow of scientific data.

Communication Patterns of Engineers brings together, summarizes, and analyzes the research on how engineers communicate, presenting benchmark data and identifying gaps in the existing research. Written by two renowned experts in this area, the text: Compares engineering communication patterns with those of science and medicine Offers information on improving engineering communication skills, including the use of communication tools to address engineering departments' concerns about the inadequacies of communication by engineers Provides strong conclusions to address what lessons engineering educators, librarians, and communication professionals can learn from the research presented

Computerized databases provide a powerful everyday tool for data handling by scientists and engineers. However, the unique nature of many technical tasks requires a specialized approach to make use of the many powerful commercial database tools now available. Using these tools has proved difficult because database technology is often shrouded in layers of jargon. An essential guide for scientists and engineers who use computers to avoid drowning in a flood of data, Database Systems in Science and Engineering dispels the myths associated with database design and breaks the barriers to successful databases. Using the language of scientists and engineers, this book explains concepts and problems, offers practical steps and solutions, and provides new ideas for better data handling. The first part of the book presents an overview of technical databases using examples taken from real applications and the current state of technical databases. The second part covers the computer implementation of technical databases, including examples and the necessary computer science theory to form a sound background. The authors confront the many difficulties that arise in the design and implementation of a realistic database and offer solutions to these challenges. Before beginning any database project, scientists and engineers should read this book to understand how to make every database project successful through careful planning, good design, and efficient use of database tools.