topics.robust05.txt

<top>

<num> Number: 303
<title> Hubble Telescope Achievements

<desc> Description:
Identify positive accomplishments of the Hubble telescope since it
was launched in 1991.

<narr> Narrative:
Documents are relevant that show the Hubble telescope has produced
new data, better quality data than previously available, data that
has increased human knowledge of the universe, or data that has led
to disproving previously existing theories or hypotheses.  Documents
limited to the shortcomings of the telescope would be irrelevant.
Details of repairs or modifications to the telescope without
reference to positive achievements would not be relevant.

</top>



<top>

<num> Number: 307
<title> New Hydroelectric Projects

<desc> Description:
Identify hydroelectric projects proposed or under construction by
country and location.  Detailed description of nature, extent,
purpose, problems, and consequences is desirable.

<narr> Narrative:
Relevant documents would contain as a minimum a clear statement
that a hydroelectric project is planned or construction is under
way and the location of the project.  Renovation of existing
facilities would be judged not relevant unless plans call for a
significant increase in acre-feet or reservoir or a marked change
in the environmental impact of the project.  Arguments for and
against proposed projects are relevant as long as they are supported
by specifics, including as a minimum the name or location of the
project.  A statement that an individual or organization is for or
against such projects in general would not be relevant.  Proposals
or projects underway to dismantle existing facilities or drain
existing reservoirs are not relevant, nor are articles reporting a
decision to drop a proposed plan.

</top>



<top>

<num> Number: 310
<title> Radio Waves and Brain Cancer

<desc> Description:
Evidence that radio waves from radio towers or car phones affect
brain cancer occurrence.

<narr> Narrative:
Persons living near radio towers and more recently persons using
car phones have been diagnosed with brain cancer.  The argument
rages regarding the direct association of one with the other.
The incidence of cancer among the groups cited is considered, by
some, to be higher than that found in the normal population.  A
relevant document includes any experiment with animals, statistical
study, articles, news items which report on the incidence of brain
cancer being higher/lower/same as those persons who live near a
radio tower and those using car phones as compared to those in the
general population.

</top>



<top>

<num> Number: 314
<title> Marine Vegetation

<desc> Description:
Commercial harvesting of marine vegetation such as
algae, seaweed and kelp for food and drug purposes.

<narr> Narrative:
Recent research has shown that marine vegetation
is a valuable source of both food (human and animal)
and a potentially useful drug.  This search will
focus primarily on these two uses.  Also to be
considered relevant would be instances of other
possible commercial uses such as fertilizer, etc.

</top>



<top>

<num> Number: 322
<title> International Art Crime

<desc> Description:
Isolate instances of fraud or embezzlement in the international
art trade.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document is any report that identifies an instance
of fraud or embezzlement in the international buying or selling
of art objects.  Objects include paintings, jewelry, sculptures
and any other valuable works of art.  Specific instances must be
identified for a document to be relevant; generalities are not
relevant.

</top>



<top>

<num> Number: 325
<title> Cult Lifestyles

<desc> Description:
Describe a cult by name and identify the cult members'
activities in their everyday life.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document would include the name of the cult
and offer information about the members' lifestyles.
It may include how they dress or what they do to attain
the ultimate goal of the organization.  A relevant
document may tell what they eat or how they contribute
to the cult.  Just the mention of the existence of a
cult by name with no other clarifying information would
not be relevant.

</top>



<top>

<num> Number: 330
<title> Iran-Iraq Cooperation

<desc> Description:
This query is looking for examples of cooperation or
friendly ties between Iran and Iraq, or ways in which
the two countries could be considered allies.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document would mention such things as mutually
beneficial economic, military, religious, or social
relations; cooperation on border control or treatment of
minorities; collaboration in getting around trade sanctions
placed upon either country, etc.  (Any mention of the
possible return of the airplanes Iraq flew to Iran during
the Gulf War would also be relevant).

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 336
<title> Black Bear Attacks

<desc> Description:
A relevant document would discuss the frequency
of vicious black bear attacks worldwide and the
possible causes for this savage behavior.

<narr> Narrative:
It has been reported that food or cosmetics
sometimes attract hungry black bears, causing
them to viciously attack humans.  Relevant
documents would include the aforementioned
causes as well as speculation preferably from
the scientific community as to other possible
causes of vicious attacks by black bears.  A
relevant document would also detail steps
taken or new methods devised by wildlife
officials to control and/or modify the
savageness of the black bear.

</top>



<top>

<num> Number: 341
<title> Airport Security

<desc> Description:
A relevant document would discuss how effective
government orders to better scrutinize passengers
and luggage on international flights and to step
up screening of all carry-on baggage has been.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document would contain reports on what
new steps airports worldwide have taken to better
scrutinize passengers and their luggage on
international flights and to step up screening of
all carry-on baggage.  With the increase in
international terrorism and in the wake of the
TWA Flight 800 disaster, articles on airport
security relating in particular to additional
steps taken by airports to increase flight safety
would be relevant.  The mere mention of enhanced
security does not constitute relevance.  Additional
steps refer to something beyond just passenger
and carry-on screening using the normal methods.
Examples of new steps would be additional personnel,
sophisticated monitoring and screening devices,
and extraordinary measures to check luggage in the
baggage compartment.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 344
<title> Abuses of E-Mail

<desc> Description:
The availability of E-mail to many people through their
job or school affiliation has allowed for many efficiencies
in communications but also has provided the opportunity for
abuses.  What steps have been taken world-wide by those
bearing the cost of E-mail to prevent excesses?

<narr> Narrative:
To be relevant, a document will concern dissatisfaction by
an entity paying for the cost of electronic mail.  Particularly
sought are items which relate to system users (such as employees)
who abuse the system by engaging in communications of the type
not related to the payer's desired use of the system.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 345
<title> Overseas Tobacco Sales

<desc> Description:
Health studies primarily in the U.S. have caused reductions
in tobacco sales here, but the economic impact has caused
U.S. tobacco companies to look overseas for customers.
What impact have the health and economic factors had overseas?

<narr> Narrative:
To be relevant, an item will discuss either an increase or
decrease in the sales of U.S. tobacco products overseas, and
attribute this to health findings or more aggressive marketing
by U.S. companies or the foreign companies they own or cooperate
with.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 347
<title> Wildlife Extinction

<desc> Description:
The spotted owl episode in America highlighted U.S. efforts
to prevent the extinction of wildlife species.  What is not
well known is the effort of other countries to prevent the
demise of species native to their countries.  What other
countries have begun efforts to prevent such declines?

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant item will specify the country, the involved
species, and steps taken to save the species.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 353
<title> Antarctica exploration

<desc> Description:
Identify systematic explorations and scientific investigations
of Antarctica, current or planned.

<narr> Narrative:
Documents discussing the following issues are relevant:

 - systematic explorations and scientific investigations of Antarctica
   (e.g., seismology, ionospheric physics, possible economic development)
 - other research currently conducted or planned for the future
 - banning of mineral mining

Documents discussing tourism are non-relevant.  Documents discussing
"disrupting scientific experiments" are non-relevant unless a specific
experiment is identified.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 354
<title> journalist risks

<desc> Description:
Identify instances where a journalist has been put at risk (e.g.,
killed, arrested or taken hostage) in the performance of his work.

<narr> Narrative:
Any document identifying an instance where a journalist or
correspondent has been killed, arrested or taken hostage in the
performance of his work is relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 362
<title> human smuggling

<desc> Description:
Identify incidents of human smuggling.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document shows an incident of humans
(at least ten) being smuggled.  The smugglers
would have to realize a monetary gain for their
actions, while the people being smuggled may or
may not be willing participants.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 363
<title> transportation tunnel disasters

<desc> Description:
What disasters have occurred in tunnels used for
transportation?

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document identifies a disaster in a tunnel
used for trains, motor vehicles, or people.  Wind
tunnels and tunnels used for wiring, sewage, water, oil,
etc. are not relevant.  The cause of the problem may be
fire, earthquake, flood, or explosion and can be
accidental or planned.  Documents that discuss tunnel
disasters occurring during construction of a tunnel
are relevant if lives were threatened.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 367
<title> piracy

<desc> Description:
What modern instances have there been of old fashioned
piracy, the boarding or taking control of boats?

<narr> Narrative:
Documents discussing piracy on any body of water are
relevant.  Documents discussing the legal taking of
ships or their contents by a national authority are
non-relevant.  Clashes between fishing vessels over
fishing are not relevant, unless one vessel is
boarded.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 372
<title> Native American casino

<desc> Description:
Identify documents that discuss the growth of Native
American casino gambling.

<narr> Narrative:
Relevant documents include discussions regarding
Native American casino gambling: its social
implications, effects on local and Native American
economies, and legal aspects related to Native
American tribal autonomy.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 374
<title> Nobel prize winners

<desc> Description:
Identify and provide background information on Nobel
prize winners.

<narr> Narrative:
At a minimum, relevant documents must contain the
following information:  year of Nobel prize award,
field of study, and recipients name.  When the
document announces what is obviously a current award,
no year is required.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 375

<title> hydrogen energy

<desc> Description:
What is the status of research on hydrogen as a
feasible energy source?

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document will describe progress in
research on controlled hydrogen fusion or the use
of hydrogen as fuel to power engines.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 378
<title> euro opposition

<desc> Description:
Identify documents that discuss opposition to the
introduction of the euro, the European currency.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document should include the countries
or individuals who oppose the use of the euro and
the reason(s) for their opposition to its use.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 383
<title> mental illness drugs

<desc> Description:
Identify drugs used in the treatment of mental illness.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document will include the name of a specific
or generic type of drug.  Generalities are not relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 389
<title> illegal technology transfer

<desc> Description:
What specific entities have been accused of illegal
technology transfer such as: selling their products,
formulas, etc. directly or indirectly to foreign
entities for other than peaceful purposes?

<narr> Narrative:
To be relevant, a selected document must specifically
identify a person, company, or governmental entity
which provided articles useful for hostile purposes
to entities outside of their own country and such
provision violated the laws of the provider's country.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 393
<title> mercy killing

<desc> Description:
Identify documents that discuss mercy killings.

<narr> Narrative:
All individual cases of mercy killing are relevant, except
that "letters to the editor" mentioning cases are not relevant.
The removal of life support systems is relevant.  A general
mention or description of a case without specifics, such as
victim's name are not relevant.  Cases determined to be a
murder-suicide are not relevant.

</top>



<top>

<num> Number: 394
<title> home schooling

<desc> Description:
Identify documents that discuss the education of
children at home (home schooling).

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document would contain any data on
the education of children in a home environment.
Included could be data on where, by whom,
community acceptance, and successes.  Additional
data on programs aiding the education of
disadvantaged children in an away-from-school
environment such as mobile vehicle classrooms
would be considered as home schooling and are
therefore relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 397
<title> automobile recalls

<desc> Description:
Identify documents that discuss the reasons for
automobile recalls.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document will specify major or minor reasons
for automobile recalls by car manufacturers.  Documents
that discuss truck recalls are not relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 399
<title> oceanographic vessels

<desc> Description:
Identify documents that discuss the
activities or equipment of oceanographic
vessels.

<narr> Narrative:
Relevant documents will contain information on
the activity of oceanographic vessels regardless
of nationality.  Such items as undersea mapping,
monitoring global warming, marine environmental
monitoring and the use of deep sea robots to
search for sunken ships are relevant to oceanography
activity.  Also relevant are such actions as using
the vessel for research and development of new
equipment or exploring oceanic resources.  Any
reference to equipment in use aboard an oceanographic
vessel is relevant.  Documents that identify a vessel
as a survey ship which is involved in oceanographic
activity is also relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 401
<title> foreign minorities, Germany

<desc> Description:
What language and cultural differences impede the integration
of foreign minorities in Germany?

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document will focus on the causes of the lack of
integration in a significant way; that is, the mere mention of
immigration difficulties is not relevant.  Documents that discuss
immigration problems unrelated to Germany are also not relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 404
<title> Ireland, peace talks

<desc> Description:
How often were the peace talks in Ireland delayed
or disrupted as a result of acts of violence?

<narr> Narrative:
Any interruptions to the peace process not directly
attributable to acts of violence are not relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 408
<title> tropical storms

<desc> Description:
What tropical storms (hurricanes and typhoons) have
caused significant property damage and loss of life?

<narr> Narrative:
The date of the storm, the area affected, and the extent of
damage/casualties are all of interest.  Documents that describe
the damage caused by a tropical storm as "slight", "limited", or
"small" are not relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 409
<title> legal, Pan Am, 103

<desc> Description:
What legal actions have resulted from the destruction
of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on
December 21, 1988?

<narr> Narrative:
Documents describing any charges, claims, or fines
presented to or imposed by any court or tribunal are
relevant, but documents that discuss charges made in
diplomatic jousting are not relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 416
<title> Three Gorges Project

<desc> Description:
What is the status of The Three Gorges Project?

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document will provide the projected
date of completion of the project, its estimated
total cost, or the estimated electrical output of
the the finished project.  Discussions of the
social, political, or ecological impact of the
project are not relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 419
<title> recycle, automobile tires

<desc> Description:
What new uses have been developed for old
automobile tires as a means of tire recycling?

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document must show advantageous uses of
recycled tires, such as:  destructive distillation of
scrap rubber for valuable chemicals, reef building
for fish habitats, filler or binder in asphalt
roadway mixes, and burning in a controlled
environment for heat generation.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 426
<title> law enforcement, dogs

<desc> Description:
Provide information on the use of dogs worldwide for
law enforcement purposes.

<narr> Narrative:
Relevant items include specific information on the
use of dogs during an operation.  Training of dogs
and their handlers are also relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 427
<title> UV damage, eyes

<desc> Description:
Find documents that discuss the damage ultraviolet (UV)
light from the sun can do to eyes.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document will discuss diseases that result
from exposure of the eyes to UV light, treatments
for the damage, and/or education programs that help
prevent damage.  Documents discussing treatment
methods for cataracts and ocular melanoma are relevant
even when a specific cause is not mentioned.  However,
documents that discuss radiation damage from nuclear
sources or lasers are not relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 433
<title> Greek, philosophy, stoicism

<desc> Description:
Is there contemporary interest in the Greek
philosophy of stoicism?

<narr> Narrative:
Actual references to the philosophy or philosophers,
productions of Greek stoic plays, and new "stoic"
artistic productions are all relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 435
<title> curbing population growth

<desc> Description:
What measures have been taken worldwide and what
countries have been effective in curbing
population growth?

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document must describe an actual case in which
population measures have been taken and their results are known.
The reduction measures must have been actively pursued;
that is, passive events such as disease or famine
involuntarily reducing the population are not relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 436
<title> railway accidents

<desc> Description:
What are the causes of railway accidents throughout
the world?

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document provides data on railway accidents
of any sort (i.e., locomotive, trolley, streetcar) where
either the railroad system or the vehicle or pedestrian
involved caused the accident.  Documents that discuss
railroading in general, new rail lines, new technology
for safety, and safety and accident prevention
are not relevant, unless an actual accident is described.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 439
<title> inventions, scientific discoveries

<desc> Description:
What new inventions or scientific discoveries have been
made?

<narr> Narrative:
The word "new" in the description is defined as occurring
in the 1990s.  Documents that indicate a "recent"
invention or scientific discovery are considered relevant.
Discoveries made in astronomy or any scientific discoveries
that are not patentable are not relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 443
<title> U.S., investment, Africa

<desc> Description:
What is the extent of U.S. (government and private)
investment in sub-Saharan Africa?

<narr> Narrative:
All references to U.S. Governmental and private assistance
to sub-Saharan Africa are relevant.  Documents discussing
contributions by reason of U.S. membership in international
aid organizations are also relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 448
<title> ship losses

<desc> Description:
Identify instances in which weather was a main or contributing
factor in the loss of a ship at sea.

<narr> Narrative:
Any ship loss due to weather is relevant, either in international
or coastal waters.

</top>


<top>
<num> Number: 622
<title> price fixing

<desc> Description:
Identify companies or corporations that have been accused or indicted of
price fixing including the product or type of product involved.

<narr> Narrative:
Relevant documents must contain both the company and the product involved.
Documents about price fixing by the stock market are not relevant.
</top>


<top>
<num> Number: 625
<title> arrests bombing WTC

<desc> Description:
Identify documents that provide information on the arrest and/or
conviction of the bombers of the World Trade Center (WTC) in February 1993.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document must contain information about an arrest
or conviction related to the bombing.  Simple claims of involvement
are not relevant.
</top>


<top>
<num> Number: 638
<title> wrongful convictions

<desc> Description:
Find documents that discuss freed prisoners who have been wrongfully
convicted based on faulty forensic evidence, poor police work, or false
testimony.

<narr> Narrative:
Documents about political prisoners who were freed because of
incompetent prosecutions are relevant.   However, documents that
discuss prisoners who are pardoned or released on bond when their
convictions are overturned are not relevant, nor are
documents about prisoners freed to make a political
statement or prisoners freed for an exchange.
</top>


<top>
<num> Number: 639
<title> consumer on-line shopping

<desc> Description:
What factors contributed to the growth of consumer on-line
shopping?

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document will describe a factor that has contributed
to the increase use of on-line shopping by consumers.  Documents
containing statistical data supporting a growth factor are
also relevant.
</top>


<top>
<num> Number: 648
<title> family leave law

<desc> Description:
Identify documents that discuss details of a family leave law, such as
how long, compensation, if any, for what reason allowed, etc.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document must contain some detail about a family leave law
to be relevant.  The mere mention of the existence of such a law
is not relevant.
</top>


<top>
<num> Number: 650
<title> tax evasion indicted

<desc> Description:
Identify individuals or corporations that have been indicted
on charges of tax evasion of more than two million dollars in
the U.S. or U.K.

<narr> Narrative:
A relevant document will contain details about large-scale tax
evasion.  Documents about people who lost in excess of two million
dollars as a result of doing business with an organization indicted
for tax fraud are relevant.
</top>


<top>
<num> Number: 651

<title>
U.S. ethnic population

<desc> Description:
How is the ethnic make-up of the U.S. population changing?

<narr> Narrative:
Documents must indicate a shift in the ethnic make-up of the U.S.
population.
</top>


<top>
<num> Number: 658

<title>
teenage pregnancy

<desc> Description:
Find documents that discuss teenage pregnancy in the United States:
the birth rate for teenage mothers, causes and results of
teenage pregnancies, and steps taken to reduce the number of
teenage pregnancies.

<narr> Narrative:
Relevant documents will discuss teenage pregnancy in the United States.
Also relevant is information on teenage abortions.
</top>


<top>
<num> Number: 689

<title>
family-planning aid

<desc> Description:
To which countries does the U.S. provide aid to support family planning,
and for which countries has the U.S. refused or limited support?

<narr> Narrative:
Relevant documents indicate where U.S. aid supports
family planning or where such aid has been denied.
Discussions of why aid for family planning has been refused are
also relevant.  Documents that mention U.S. aid to countries,
but not specifically for family planning are not relevant.
Descriptions of funds for family planning in the U.S. itself are not relevant.
</top>