( )Engineering Information Abstracts Part II 155

provide services for users. One of these services which can beenhanced and delivered is the access to the library catalogue.The development of standardized communication interfaces tothe actual database and search engine, the search and retrieveprotocols, made it possible for users with appropriate clientsoftware to access any server supporting the standard inter-face. Two standards are developed for this purpose: the ISO

Ž .Search and Retrieve SR and the ANSI Z39.50. The designand implementation of the application gateway allows bothISO-SR and Z39.50 systems to interoperate transparently ontransport control protocolrInternet protocol. 36 Refs. In En-glish EI Order Number: EIP97113907276

ŽKeywords: Wide area networks; Gateways computer net-.works ; Distributed database systems; Information services;

Information retrieval; Network protocols; User interfaces;Computer software; Query languages; Bibliographic retrievalsystems

Title: OPEN SYSTEM CONCEPTS FOR MODULAR AVION-ICS

( )Author s : Thedens, John R.Corporate Source: Rockwell, Cedar Rapids, IA, USASource: IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine v12 n 10 Oct 1997. p 30-34 CODEN: IESMEA ISSN: 0885-8985Publication Year: 1997Abstract: Advanced communications, guidance and navigationsystems play key roles in determining superiority of one com-bat aircraft over another. The use of advanced technology isessential to meeting the mission requirements of present aswell as future aircraft. Modular avionics are being used innext generation aircraft, such as the Air Force F-22 fighterand the Army Comanche helicopter, as the means of achiev-ing higher levels of performance, including reduced volumeand improved adaptability, maintainability, and expandability.New system acquisitions such as Joint Strike Fighter willattempt to achieve these same performance levels but atdramatically reduced life cycle cost. Retrofit applications willalso take on increasing roles in meeting this affordability need

Ž .as the Department of Defense DoD struggles to maintainreadiness in the face of the shrinking defense budget. Thegovernment is encouraging the use of open standards prac-tices as a means of addressing the affordability issue. The

Ž .Open Systems Joint Task Force OS-JTF , formed in Septem-ber 1994, is chartered to ‘sponsor and accelerate the adoptionof open systems in weapons systems and subsystem electronicsto reduce life-cycle costs and facilitate effective weapon sys-tem intra- and interoperability.’ The purpose of this paper isto relate the concept of open systems to modular avionics. Itdiscusses the key attributes of an open systems approach and

Židentifies key technologies necessary for its success. Author.abstract 7 Refs. In English EI Order Number:

EIP97103902694Keywords: Avionics; Fighter aircraft; Cost effectiveness

Title: TAILORING Z39.50 ON EXISTING DATABASES: THEARCA PROJECT

( )Author s : Loffredo, M.; Baldacci, M.B.; Signore, O.Corporate Source: CNUCE, Pisa, Italy

Conference Title: Proceedings of the 1997 8th InternationalWorkshop on Database and Expert Systems Applications,DEXA’97 Conference Location: Toulouse, Fr ConferenceDate: 19970901-19970902Source: International Conference on Database and ExpertSystems Applications- DEXA 1997. IEEE, Los Alamitos, CA,USA,97TB100181. p 332-338 CODEN: 002689Publication Year: 1997Abstract: The Z39.50 protocol aims at opening databases toclient-server communication. However, in the case of largedatabases, as OPACs are, the migration to the client-serverarchitecture may require significant effort. This can hardlylimit the diffusion of the open systems environment. TheARCA project gives solutions to these problems by providinga system which makes an OPAC a Z39.50 target with aminimal effort. The paper describes the basic ideas, the gen-eral architecture and the main functionality of the system

Žoutlining its contribution to systems interoperability. Author.abstract 12 Refs. In English EI Order Number:

EIP97103857748Keywords: Distributed database systems; Information re-trieval; Network protocols; Computer architecture

Title: INTERACTIVE VISUALIZATION THROUGH AP-PLIED VIRTUAL REALITY IN CONSTRUCTION

( )Author s : Jones, Brigitte; Webb, IanCorporate Source: Univ of Salford, Salford, UKConference Title: Proceedings of the 1997 International Con-ference on Information Visualization, IV Conference Loca-tion: London, Engl Conference Date: 19970827-19970829Source: Proceedings of the Information Visualization Confer-ence 1997. IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, USA,97TB100165. p 166-172CODEN: 002219Publication Year: 1997Abstract: This paper is concerned with the development of an

Ž .integrated, open and fully usable Virtual Reality VR envi-ronment for the construction industry for use on a low-cost

Ž .PC but transportable to other, mare sophisticated systems tomake VR accessible and usable by Small and Medium Enter-

Ž .prises SME’s . The paper describes a new VR system forcollaborative interaction in the construction industry that en-hances communication between the design team, contractorsand sub-contractors through open systems design. It discusseshow feedback from potential users of these VR systems isassessed and implemented, to ensure systems are designed tomeet user requirements. By enabling the use and integrationof a wide variety of multimedia technologies, communicationchannels between different construction parties become more

Ž .effective. Author abstract 10 Refs. In English EI OrderNumber: EIP97103862963Keywords: Interactive computer systems; Virtual reality; Con-struction industry; Information technology; Personal comput-ers; Computer aided design ; Computer architecture

Title: DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR ‘TAILORABLE’ FRAME-WORKS

( )Author s : Demeyer, Serge; Meijler, Theo Dirk; Niertstrasz,Oscar; Steyaert, Patrick