Database PRINTS

To run either version of the database, print and follow the instructions for Using the Medical Supplies Database,... 

Interpro Combination of the major protein family databases (PRINTS, PROSITE, Pfam, ProDom) Cl dl. http // www.ebi.ac.uk/ interpro/ EBI, Cambridge, R. Apweiler et al. [76, 300]... 

The initial step is to identify which database, from a few thousands worldwide (about 10 000 in 2002), provides the requested information. The next step is to determine which subsection of the topic is of interest, and to identify typical search terms or keywords (synonyms, homonyms, different languages, or abbreviations) (Table 5-1). During the search in a database, this strategy is then executed (money is charged for spending time on some chemical databases). The resulting hits may be further refined by combining keywords or database fields, respectively, with Boolean operators (Table 5-2). The final results should be saved in electronic or printed form. 

Numeric databases primarily contain numeric data on chemical compounds, such as physicochemical values and the results of series of measurements. Therefore, the files correspond to printed tables of numeric property data. Since the attributes of numeric data are different from those of text data, the search has to be managed... 

Factual databases may provide the electronic version of printed catalogs on chemical compoimds. The catalogs of different suppliers of chemicals serve to identify chemical compounds with their appropriate synonyms, molecular formulas, molecular weight, structure diagrams, and - of course - the price. Sometimes the data are linked to other databases that contain additional information. Structure and substructure search possibihties have now been included in most of the databases of chemical suppliers. 

The Chemical Abstracts System (CAS) produces a set of various databases ranging from bibliographic to chemical structure and reaction databases. All the databases originate from the printed media of Chemical Abstracts, which was first published in 1907 and is divided into different topics. Author index, general index, chemical structure index, formula index, and index guide arc entries to the corresponding database (Table 5-3). 

Budgeting. These changes in the storage and retrieval of chemical information requite that Hbraries and information centers now consider not only what should be purchased but also what monies should be allocated for the purchase of information in nonprint formats such as CD-ROMs (compact disk read-only memory) and on-line databases. Coupled with this is budgeting for the cost of hardware and software to enable the rapid and cost-effective deHvery of needed information (15). The geometric increase in sources, both printed and on-line, has increased the role of information speciaHst as an expert in the deHvery of chemical information. Retrieval from increasingly diverse and complex sources becomes the paramount issue for searchers of chemical Hterature in the 1990s. 

GORE. The CORE Electronic Chemistry Library is a joint project of Cornell University, OCLC (On-line Computer Library Center), Bell Communications Research (Bellcore), and the American Chemical Society. The CORE database will contain the full text of American Chemical Society Journals from 1980, associated information from Chemical Abstracts Service, and selected reference texts. It will provide machine-readable text that can be searched and displayed, graphical representations of equations and figures, and full-page document images. The project will examine the performance obtained by the use of a traditional printed index as compared with a hypertext system (SUPERBOOK) and a document retrieval system (Pixlook) (6,116). 

Most databases secure their information from printed sources. On occasion, however, a subsequent letter to the editor of a pubHcation by a company mentioned in the article will point out an error. Unfortunately, these corrections are not always picked up by the respective databases that entered the initial data. 

Country codes in brackets are obsolete ICIREPAT codes. Country codes in parentheses were used by Derwent PubHcations Ltd. prior to the adoption of International Standards Organization (ISO) country codes. The obsolete codes remain on printed records, but have been replaced by current codes in on-line DATABASES. Eor Japanese patents, Derwent replaced the second character of the country code with the first digit of the pubHcation year prior to 1992 this variant of the company code is stiU found in on-line databases and printed pubHcations. 

An important advance in the on-line WPI database is the inclusion of representative drawings from patents. These drawings are particularly important in conveying the meaning of mechanical, engineering, and electrical inventions, but are also important in elucidating the chemical stmetures involved in chemical inventions. The drawings, which can be read on-line and printed on- or off-line, cover chemical patents from 1992 onward and nonchemical patents since 1988. 

EPIDOS issues printed and microfiche compilations of its data in addition, its database can be searched on its own computer or on several on-line host systems. In general, EPIDOS provides the most complete patent family information of any service, although Derwent tends to include more information on inteUectual (nonconvention) famUies, whereas the Erench Patent Office s EDOC file on the Questel system includes information on... 

The ChemicalF hstracts database does not have an on-line family capabUity, but does pubHsh a patent index, with family data obtained from INPADOC. Printed patent indexes have been including family information since the 1960s, but the number of countries covered before 1970 was limited. 

Duplicate submissions not identified. Facilities sometimes send multiple copies of the same Form R report to insure that EPA received a copy. Duplicate submissions must be identified by printing the word DUPLICATE" in red Ink on page one in the box marked "THIS SPACE FOR YOUR OPTIONAL USE". Failure to clearly identity a duplicate report may result in the duplicate appearance of the data in the database and the appearance of increased emissions from the facility. 

CALS combines sample tracking facilities with a database for management and documentation of information in the environmental wa.sie monitoring laboratory. EWOBS provides a reporting format that prints data on the NPDLiS form. 

Primarily recordkeeping system for individual facilities. Includes information on chemicals and manufacturers and records of accidents and training. Chris Plus adds capability of storing and printing MSDS information and assists with the preparation of Tier I and Tier II reports and right-to-know requests. Doth systems contain database of 600 toxic substances and synonyms. 

MCBase offers the possibility to load the original CAMPUS data of different suppliers from version 3.0 and higher into one database, which allows direct comparison. It has been developed in close cooperation with the CAMPUS consortium. For more information see http //www.m-base.de/. MCBase is user friendly and offers extremely efficient handling of material data. All CAMPUS options are available define search profiles define and sort tables print tables and data sheets curve overlay scatter plots. In addition MCBase 4.1 offers search in curves search for comparable grades text search update via Internet calculation of simulation parameters. A French version of MCBase is available from the distribution agent in France. 

Optimum values for the probabilities may not be obtained in the case that experimental llnewidths in the spectrum are very different since only a single linewidth is used for the simulated spectra. The calculated probabilities may be stored in the database and hard copy reports may be printed-... 

Edit checks How are entered data checked against reference ranges How are entered data edited for accuracy How are error reports printed How are corrections resolved and applied to the database ... 

The diversity of suppliers and the difficulty of maintaining up to date lists made the maintenance of print directories difficult and expensive. Most are now either out of print or have migrated to database format. Nevertheless a review of the older directories is interesting, and they should be retained as they provide valuable background reading. 

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