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1994 | Buch | 2. Auflage

From CA to CAS online

Databases in Chemistry

verfasst von: Dr. Hedda Schulz, Dr. Ursula Georgy

Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

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Über dieses Buch

Since this book was first published in 1985, tremendous changes have taken place in the field of online searching. Thus a second edition was truely over­ due. Dr. Hedda Schulz, author of the first edition, found a most competent and renowned searcher as her co-author in the person of Dr. Ursula Georgy. The authors have undertaken an enormous task. As a result of their efforts, a convincing handbook had been written. It will reliably serve newcomers and experts alike it is an instruction manual as well as a reference book. The importance of modem information handling has been advanced in many an article, book and preface. It is therefore unnecessary to repeat the arguments here. This book can contribute to creating a deeper understanding of information handling in those persons who have not yet registered its impor­ tance or who are standing on the sidelines waiting sceptically. In contrast, all those people who have so far believed that you only need to connect your personal computer to a modem will be shown in a thoroughly professional way that there is a lot more to online searching than pressing keys on your keyboard. To own a palette and easel does not make you an artist. Apart from the benefit, that searchers and readers will draw from it, this book should help to eradicate the timeworn motto: the world's knowledge at your fingertips.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter
1. The Information System of the Chemical Abstracts Service
Abstract
The history of Chemical Abstracts is an important part of documentation and information management in chemistry. In the field of chemistry, it was realized in the very early days — in comparison with other sciences — how important the summaries and overviews of research results are for maintaining access to existing knowledge now and in the future. Therefore, in addition to the primary literature, i.e. the original publications which reflect the state of research in journals and monographs, the secondary literature came into being, i.e. reference journals and handbooks, which include the summarized presentation of the original publications.
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
2. Searching for Literature in Chemical Abstracts
Abstract
Today, Chemical Abstracts (CA) is the world’s best-known and most comprehensive reference periodical for all areas of chemistry and chemical engineering. It consists of two parts: the abstracts and the indexes.
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
3. Locating the Source Document
Abstract
The abstract texts in Chemical Abstracts are not intended as substitutes for the contents of the original document. They should, however, furnish the reader with enough information to enable him to decide whether intensive study of the original document is worthwhile and if the costs for ordering or even translation are rewarding. There are many ways to obtain the original literature which is held at the disposal of central libraries in many countries for loan or for photocopying. Printed files and online databases make it possible for the user to identify the respective library.
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
4. Registry Handbooks
Abstract
The Registry Handbook — Number Section contains all the CAS Registry Numbers so far assigned. It is, therefore, a part of the CAS Registry database, which was described in Sect. 1.3.1.
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
5. Ring Systems Handbook (RSH)
Abstract
The Ring Systems Handbook (1993 edition) contains all the presently known basic structural skeletons, the parent compounds of cyclic substances, i.e. ring systems without substituents. The handbook includes approximately 84,000 ring and 288 cage systems. It is a complete work of reference which provides access to the systematic CA Index Name, the CAS Registry Number and the molecular formula of a ring system or which describes to a complex substance name the chemical structure. The handbook contains three parts:
  • • Ring Systems File,
  • • Index to the Ring Systems Handbook,
  • • Supplements.
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
6. Online Searching
Abstract
Before adding online databases to the printed sources of information, searchers should be well aware that they cannot be used as simply as a book is chosen. Online beginners will have to familiarize themselves with the following items:
  • • choice and installation of an online work station (incl. hard— and software) (Sect. 6.1.1),
  • • specifics of data transmission (Sect. 6.1.2),
  • • logon to a host (Sect. 6.1.3),
  • • the host’s command language,
  • • structure of the database.
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
7. Chemical Databases on STN
Abstract
STN offers the following databases produced by the Chemical Abstracts Service:
  • • Registry File with searching text and structures, acronym: REG,
  • • Chemical Abstracts, acronym: CA,
  • • CApreviews, acronym: CAPREV,
  • • CAOLD, acronym: CAOLD
  • • CASREACT, acronym: CASREACT,
  • • MARPAT, acronym: MARPAT,
  • • MARPATpreviews, acronym: MARPATPREV,
  • • Chemical Industry Notes, acronym: CIN.
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
8. The Databases of Chemical Abstracts Service on Six Hosts
Abstract
Along with STN, five other hosts offer Chemical Abstracts Service databases, but often under different names. Depending on the hosts structures, the Chemical Abstracts may e.g. be searchable in one single file or be divided up into their respective Chemical Abstracts collective periods, as is the case for DATA-STAR, DIALOG and ORBIT. As every host has worked out a retrieval language of its own and has edited the records in its own way, it may happen to a searcher that the same query carried out in the same stock of records but on different hosts, may generate different results. STN e.g. is the only host which places the systematic name after the Registry Number. When searching in the Basic Index for polystyrene maleic anhydride copolymers, QUESTEL will provide 1785 matches, while STN will give over 2630. Other hosts add the molecular formula to the Registry Number. A search result is much easier and much more reliable when using the name.
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
9. Printed Matter — Online Services, a Comparison
Abstract
The preceding chapters have explained, using a multitude of examples, the differences and similarities in the use of printed and online CAS services and showed the pros and cons of these media.
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
10. Conclusion
Abstract
A thorough assessment of a company’s or organisation’s information needs should be made before the introduction of online searching. However, there is a growing demand for it, as libraries are subject to financial reductions and printed services may no longer be within their budget. As online searching requires more than just some preliminaries and investment but also a constant training of the searchers, the point must be clarified, whether a proper online work station should be installed in a department or wether information experts (inhouse or external) should be given the task. Even if searches are carried out externally, it is generally helpful when the customer has a basic understanding of file structures and contents, and when he is basically informed about the systematics of online searching. In many cases, a combination of procedures will be desirable: simple questions may be processed inhouse, while complex and extensive questions should be handed over to retrieval specialists.
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
11. Bibliography
Hedda Schulz, Ursula Georgy
Backmatter
Metadaten
Titel
From CA to CAS online
verfasst von
Dr. Hedda Schulz
Dr. Ursula Georgy
Copyright-Jahr
1994
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Electronic ISBN
978-3-642-78663-1
Print ISBN
978-3-642-78665-5
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78663-1