Abstract: A searchable electronic database system that can return search results independent of reference source type. The electronic database system includes information that can be content or discipline specific. The database can be focused to allow research to be limited to the discipline specific universe of information. The database can include person, organization, publication, and other entity types. The publications can include journal articles, books, dissertations, grants, clinical trials, and web resources. The database can also include ontology and lexicon entities. The entities are interconnected through relationships. Searches performed on the database return results across all entity types. A single search can return results from each of the different publication types. Details of the results can be displayed. Dynamic links to one or more fields in a particular result detail can link to a result categorized according to the field.

Abstract: A method, system, and software for retrieving information based on front and back matter data related to the information, includes receiving search terms for retrieval of information, comparing search terms to the front and back matter data of information for incidence and/or spatial relationships, and developing a weighted score for the information based on the comparison and/or spatial relationships. The information is retrieved based on the weighted score. The information includes books, journals, or other publications related to a specialized field of knowledge.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing sounds of selectable pitch, quality and sound pressure level and a method for using the apparatus in assessing a person's hearing are disclosed. The apparatus includes a function generator for generating the fundamental frequency of the sound to be produced, a formant filter circuit for passing only one or more resonant frequencies of the fundamental frequency so as to vary the quality of the sound to be produced, and a level control for varying the loudness of the sound to be produced. The method of the invention includes adjusting the apparatus of the invention so as to produce sounds similar to those a patient produces in his own speech and using such sounds to assess the patient's hearing skills.