Dear TREC participants, Attached are the routing topics for TREC-5. These will be used for the routing task and for the filtering track. As you will notice they are taken from all four earlier TRECs, so you need to be careful in locating ALL the qrels that go with these. In some cases they have been used in more than one TREC. Donna TREC-5 routing topics 1 3 4 5 6 11 12 23 24 44 53 54 58 68 77 78 82 94 95 100 108 111 114 118 119 121 123 125 126 142 154 161 173 185 187 189 192 193 194 195 202 207 211 221 222 224 228 237 240 243 Tipster Topic Description Number: 001 Domain: International Economics Topic: Antitrust Cases Pending <desc> Description: Document discusses a pending antitrust case. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant, a document will discuss a pending antitrust case and will identify the alleged violation as well as the government entity investigating the case. Identification of the industry and the companies involved is optional. The antitrust investigation must be a result of a complaint, NOT as part of a routine review. <con> Concept(s): 1. antitrust suit, antitrust objections, antitrust investigation, antitrust dispute 2. monopoly, bid-rigging, illegal restraint of trade, insider trading, price-fixing 3. acquisition, merger, takeover, buyout 4. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), Justice Department, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Japanese Fair Trade Commission 5. NOT antitrust immunity <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): Antitrust - Laws to protect trade and commerce from unlawful restraints and monopolies or unfair business practices. Acquisition - The taking over by one company of a controlling interest in another, also called a takeover. The action may be friendly or unfriendly. Merger - The acquisition by one corporation of the stock of another. The acquiring corporation then retires the other's stock and dissolves that corporation. Therefore, only one corporation retains its identity in a merger. </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 003 <dom> Domain: International Economics <title> Topic: Joint Ventures <desc> Description: Document will announce a new joint venture involving a Japanese company. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will announce a new joint venture and will identify the partners (one of which must be Japanese) by name, as well as the name and activity of the new company. <con> Concept(s): 1. joint venture, tie up 2. partner, cooperation, joint management, agreement 3. cooperate, work together, jointly manage, jointly own, jointly produce <fac> Factor(s): <nat> Nationality: Japan <time> Time: Current </fac> <def> Definition(s): Joint Venture - An international business undertaking defined as the commitment, for more than a very short duration, of funds, facilities, and services by two or more legally separate interests to an enterprise for their mutual benefit. </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 004 <dom> Domain: International Finance <title> Topic: Debt Rescheduling <desc> Description: Document will discuss a current debt rescheduling agreement between a developing country and one or more of its creditor(s). <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will discuss a current debt rescheduling agreement reached, proposed, or being negotiated between a debtor developing country and one or more of its creditors, commercial and/or official. It will identify the debtor country and the creditor(s), the repayment time period requested or granted, the monetary amount requested or covered by the accord, and the interest rate, proposed or set. <con> Concept(s): 1. rescheduling agreement, accord, settlement, pact 2. bank debt, commercial debt, foreign debt, trade debt, medium-term debt, long-term debt 3. negotiations, debt talks 4. creditor banks, creditor countries/governments, Paris Club 5. debtor countries, developing countries 6. debt package 7. debt repayments 8. restructuring, rescheduling existing loans 9. lower interest-rate margin, easier terms, more lenient terms <fac> Factor(s): <nat> Nationality: Developing country <time> Time: Current </fac> <def> Definition(s): Debt Rescheduling - Agreement between creditors and debtor to provide debt relief by altering the original payment terms of an existing debt. This is most often accomplished by lengthening the original schedule for principal and interest payments, and deferring interest payments. Done most publicly by developing countries and their bankers, but often less publicly by other willing creditors and debtors, e.g., governments, banks and companies. Much in vogue in the early 1980s, the road to rescheduling for countries in crisis runs as follows: when a country borrows so much that its lenders grow nervous, the banks start lending for shorter and shorter maturities. Eventually the country, though still paying interest on its debt, is unable to make payments on the principal. The country is then forced to request a rescheduling, which means that it is able to escape its immediate repayment commitments by converting short-term loans into longer-term ones. A country wishing to reschedule its official debt tal </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 005 <dom> Domain: International Economics <title> Topic: Dumping Charges <desc> Description: The U.S. or the EC charges Japan with dumping a product on any market and/or takes action against Japan for proven or suspected dumping. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant, a document must discuss current charges made by the U.S. or the EC against Japan for dumping a product on the U.S., EC, or any third-country market, and/or action(s) taken by the U.S. or the EC against Japan for proven or suspected dumping. The product must be identified. <con> Concept(s): 1. dumping 2. duties, tariffs, anti-dumping measures, punitive trade sanctions, protective penalties 3. below market, unfair, predatory pricing 4. Commerce Department, International Trade Commission (ITC), European Community (EC), Common Market 5. ruling, charges, investigation <fac> Factor(s): <nat> Nationality: U.S. <nat> Nationality: EC <nat> Nationality: Japan <time> Time: Current </fac> <def> Definition(s): Dumping - A term used in international trade, meaning to sell a product in export markets below the selling price for the same product in domestic markets. Rules created by countries to protect themselves from this practice are called anti-dumping laws. Additional tariffs that may be imposed on imports that have been dumped are called dumping duties. </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 006 <dom> Domain: International Finance <title> Topic: Third World Debt Relief <desc> Description: Document will discuss debt relief for a developing country. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will discuss debt relief proposed or granted a developing country, and will identify the type of relief, e.g., debt forgiveness, debt reduction, new loans, refinancing loans, cash aid, etc. <con> Concept(s): 1. debt burden 2. debt relief 3. developing country, LDC, debtor country 4. International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Paris Club, creditor bank, creditor country, creditor government 5. debt forgiveness, debt reduction, debt rescheduling, debt for equity swap, interest rate change, new loan agreement, refinancing loans, western aid, cash aid, trade-credit facility, money-market deposit facility, exit bond <fac> Factor(s): <nat> Nationality: Developing country </fac> <def> Definition(s): Debt relief - The easing of a debtor country's burden of servicing its external debt. Relief can be obtained through new financing at concessional rates, limitations on debt service levels, outright debt reduction, or changing the original terms of loans including rescheduling of principal repayments, retiming of interest payments, and interest capitalization. Debt reduction - The voluntary and negotiated reduction of a debtor country's burden of servicing its external debt. Debt reduction can be obtained through negotiated changes in the terms and conditions of the loan, to include debt rescheduling, retiming of interest payments, and interest capitalization. Debt reduction can also be obtained through measures designed to reduce the level of international debt, to include debt conversions, debt buybacks, and debt-equity swaps. Debt buy-back - A secondary market debt relief mechanism whereby the debtor buys back its own debt outright at the market's discounted prices, thus providing the debtor country immediate debt relief. Also an arrangement under which a group of friendly countries donate cash to set up a fund to buy a debtor country's claims. Debt conversion - A form of debt relief that involves converting a country's external debt into domestic debt or equity. These conversion schemes encourage foreign investment, provide a channel for the return of flight capital, and reduce the foreign exchange costs of servicing the country's external debt. Debt-equity swap - The exchange of a debt instrument for an equity investment. The most frequently used secondary market debt relief scheme whereby a commercial bank sells its debt at a discount to a multinational corporation or other private investor who transfers it to the debtor country for redemption at near or full face value in local currency or government notes. The investor then uses the proceeds to buy equity shares in a local business in the debtor country. Alternatively, a creditor bank can swap a loan in its portfolio for an equity instrument of its own, buying additional debt on the secondary market, if necessary, to afford the desired investment. Debt forgiveness - A debt relief arrangement that reduces the present value of contractual loan obligations of the debtor country. Forgiveness schemes often are made mandatory by a creditor country and apply to all creditors of the debtor. Methods include forced write-downs or write-offs of principal, cancellation of obligations to pay interest, or proposals for an international facility designed to purchase LDC debt at a mandated discount so that the savings can be passed on to the debtor country. </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 011 <dom> Domain: Science and Technology <title> Topic: Space Program <desc> Description: Document discusses the goals or plans of the space program or a space project of any country or organization. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant, a document must discuss the goals or plans of a space program (e.g. the Space Station Freedom) or space project (e.g. Shuttle mission 29-A) and identify the organization sponsoring the program. <con> Concept(s): 1. Shuttle, Space Plane, space station 2. Magellan, planetary explorer, satellites 3. vehicle launch 4. NASA, Ariane, European Space Agency (ESA) 5. Astronaut, Cosmonaut 6. Explorer, Dicsovery, Columbia, Mir 7. Cape Canaveral, Star City 8. space <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): Space program - coherent set of initiatives to exploit outer space (e.g., the National Aeronautic and Space Agency (NASA) has a manned space program). Space project - a specific mission to exploit outer space (e.g., a specific launch of the Space Shuttle). </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 012 <dom> Domain: Environment <title> Topic: Water Pollution <desc> Description: Document is about the pollution of a body of water. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant, a document will discuss a body of water being polluted or at risk of being polluted and the source of pollution. The body of water must be identified (e.g. Lake Erie, or the water supply of Limestone, Maine). <con> Concept(s): 1. spill, cleanup, ocean dumping, pollution 2. paper mill, supertanker, landfill 3. inland waterways, lake, ocean <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 023 <dom> Domain: Law and Government <title> Topic: Legal Repercussions of Agrochemical Use <desc> Description: Document will announce legal remedies for misuse, accidental or intentional, of agrochemicals worldwide. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant, a document will report on legal cases, either pending or decided, which adjudicate damages caused by misuse or accidental exposure to agricultural chemicals. <con> Concept(s): 1. pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, insecticide, fertilizer 2. Agent Orange, Bhopal 3. file suit, legal claims, judgment, counterclaims, court papers, liability, settlement fund, victims, accident, disaster, after-effects, out of court settlement, allegations, interim payment <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 024 <dom> Domain: Science and Technology <title> Topic: New Medical Technology <desc> Description: Document reports new medical breakthroughs, in treatments, drugs, equipment. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant, a document will describe a new treatment, new equipment, or a new drug as well as the company, hospital or institution which has carried out the research and developed the new treatment. The description of the new treatment will include both a description of the old treatment and the new procedure. <con> Concept(s): 1. medical miracle, breakthrough, research, new treatment, development 2. initial tests, promising results, controlled tests 3. patients, doctors, surgeons, nutrition scientists 4. cancer, AIDS, burns, leukemia, fat <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 044 <dom> Domain: Science and Technology <title> Topic: Staff Reductions at Computers and Communications Companies <desc> Description: Document reports cutbacks or projected cutbacks of more than 500 workers for a computer or communications company. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant, a document must contain information about a cutback of more than 500 workers at a company that sells some kind of computer or computer service or produces computer or communications hardware or software. <con> Concept(s): 1. cutbacks, layoffs, attrition, reductions, fired 2. computers, communications 3. staff, management, workers <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 053 <dom> Domain: International Economics <title> Topic: Leveraged Buyouts <desc> Description: Document mentions a leveraged buyout valued at or above 200 million dollars. <smry> Summary: Document mentions a leveraged buyout valued at or above 200 million dollars. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will cite a leveraged buyout (LBO) valued at or above 200 million dollars. The LBO may be at any stage, e.g., considered, proposed, pending, a fact. The company (being) taken private must be identified. The offer may be expressed in dollars a share. <con> Concept(s): 1. leveraged buyout, LBO 2. take private, go private 3. management-led leveraged buyout <fac> Factor(s): <price> Price: >= 200 million dollars </fac> <def> Definition(s): Leveraged Buyout (LBO) - Takeover of a company using borrowed funds, with the target company's assets serving as security for the loans taken out by the acquiring firm, which repays the loans out of the cash flow of the acquired company or from the sale of the assets of the acquired firm. </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 054 <dom> Domain: International Economics <title> Topic: Satellite Launch Contracts <desc> Description: Document will cite the signing of a contract or preliminary agreement, or the making of a tentative reservation, to launch a commercial satellite. <smry> Summary: Document will cite the signing of a contract or preliminary agreement, or the making of a tentative reservation, to launch a commercial satellite. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will mention the signing of a contract or preliminary agreement , or the making of a tentative reservation, to launch a commercial satellite. <con> Concept(s): 1. contract, agreement 2. launch vehicle, rocket, payload, satellite 3. launch services, commercial space industry, commercial launch industry 4. Arianespace, Martin Marietta, General Dynamics, McDonnell Douglas 5. Titan, Delta II, Atlas, Ariane, Proton <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 058 <dom> Domain: International Economics <title> Topic: Rail Strikes <desc> Description: Document will predict or anticipate a rail strike or report an ongoing rail strike. <smry> Summary: Document will predict or anticipate a rail strike or report an ongoing rail strike. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will either report an impending rail strike, describing the conditions which may lead to a strike, or will provide an update on an ongoing strike. To be relevant, the document will identify the location of the strike or potential strike. For an impending strike, the document will report the status of negotiations, contract talks, etc. to enable an assessment of the probability of a strike. For an ongoing strike, the document will report the length of the strike to the current date and the status of negotiations or mediation. <con> Concept(s): 1. rail strike, picket, stoppage, lockout, walkout, wildcat 2. rail union, negotiator, railroad, federal conciliator, brotherhood 3. union proposal, talks, settlement, featherbedding, cost cutting 4. working without a contract, expired contract, cooling off period <fac> Factor(s): <time> Time: Current </fac> <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 068 <dom> Domain: Science and Technology <title> Topic: Health Hazards from Fine-Diameter Fibers <desc> Description: Document will report actual studies, or even unsubstantiated concerns about the safety to manufacturing employees and installation workers of fine-diameter fibers used in insulation and other products. <smry> Summary: Document will report actual studies, or even unsubstantiated concerns about the safety to manufacturing employees and installation workers of fine-diameter fibers used in insulation and other products. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will report the type of fiber in question, and whether the fiber has been determined to be harmful or is merely suspected of being harmful. <con> Concept(s): 1. fine-diameter fibers, glass, ceramic, mineral-wool, asbestos, cellulose 2. diminished lung capacity, cancer 3. workplace safety, OSHA <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 077 <dom> Domain: Environment <title> Topic: Poaching <desc> Description: Document will report a poaching method used against a certain type of wildlife. <smry> Summary: Document will report specific poaching activities including identification of the type of wildlife being poached, the poaching technique or method of killing the wildlife which is used by the poacher, and the reason for the poaching. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will identify the type of wildlife being poached, the poaching technique or method of killing the wildlife which is used by the poacher, and the reason for the poaching (e.g. for a trophy, meat, or money). A report of poaching or someone caught for poaching without mention of the technique used and the reason is not relevant. <con> Concept(s): 1. poaching, illegal hunting, fishing, trapping, equipment 2. territorial waters, economic zone, game preserve, refuge, park 3. arrest, impound, fine 4. issue, agreement, license, treaty, legal limit <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 078 <dom> Domain: Environment <title> Topic: Greenpeace <desc> Description: Document will report activity by Greenpeace to carry out their environmental protection goals. <smry> Summary: Document will report activity by Greenpeace to carry out their environmental protection goals. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will report a protest action by Greenpeace, citing the company or country targeted by the organization, the specific target (such as a ship, train, etc.), the action carried out by Greenpeace, and the objective which Greenpeace sought to attain. <con> Concept(s): 1. Greenpeace, environment, group, activist 2. protest, disrupt, block, harass, scuttle, trespass, confront 3. anti-nuclear, uranium, radioactive, missile <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 082 <dom> Domain: Science and Technology <title> Topic: Genetic Engineering <desc> Description: Document discusses a genetic engineering application, a product that has been, is being, or will be developed by genetic manipulation, or attitudes toward genetic engineering. <smry> Summary: Document discusses a genetic engineering application, a product that has been, is being, or will be developed by genetic manipulation, or attitudes toward genetic engineering. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will discuss a product, e.g., drug, microorganism, vaccine, animal, plant, agricultural product, developed by genetic engineering techniques; identify an application, such as to clean up the environment or human gene therapy for a specific problem; or, present human attitudes toward genetic engineering. <con> Concept(s): 1. genetic engineering, molecular manipulation 2. biotechnology 3. genetically engineered product: plant, animal, drug, microorganism, vaccine, agricultural product 4. cure a disease, clean up the environment, increase agricultural productivity <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 094 <dom> Domain: Science and Technology <title> Topic: Computer-aided Crime <desc> Description: Document must identify a crime perpetrated with the aid of a computer. <smry> Summary: Document must identify a criminal activity involving computers. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant, a document must describe an illegal activity which was carried out with the aid of a computer, either used as a planning tool, such as in target research; or used in the conduct of the crime, such as by illegally gaining access to someone else's computer files. A document is NOT relevant if it merely mentions the illegal spread of a computer virus or worm. However, a document WOULD be relevant if the computer virus/worm were used in conjunction with another crime, such as extortion. <con> Concept(s): 1. crime, fraud 2. illegal access, corporate spying, extortion <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 095 <dom> Domain: Science and Technology <title> Topic: Computer-aided Crime Detection <desc> Description: Document must describe a computer application to crime solving. <smry> Summary: Document must describe an actual or theoretical computer application used in crime solving. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant, a document must describe either an actual or a theoretical computer application to detective work, by the police or by another law enforcement organization. A relevant document could include techniques such as profiling criminals and their methods of operation, identifying finger prints, spotting anomalies, etc. <con> Concept(s): 1. police, detective, sleuth, enforcement agency 2. clue, records, fingerprints, methods <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 100 <dom> Domain: International Relations <title> Topic: Controlling the Transfer of High Technology <desc> Description: Document will identify efforts by the non-communist, industrialized states to regulate the transfer of high-tech goods or "dual-use" technologies to undesirable nations. <smry> Summary: Document will identify efforts by the non-communist, industrialized states to regulate the transfer of high-tech goods or "dual-use" technologies to undesirable nations. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will identify activities of the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Defense, and State to set policy or regulate exports of strategic goods and technologies, or it will report on similar activities by allied nations, or it will discuss technology transfer policy issues and determinations under consideration by the Paris-based COCOM. Unless explicitly related to policy issues or establishment of regulations aimed at controlling transfers of high technology goods and technologies, such events as investigations of alleged violations of COCOM rules or arms shipments in violation of embargoes are not relevant. <con> Concept(s): 1. technology transfer, export license, export controls, strategic goods, international trade security policy, high technology 2. COCOM, Coordinating Committee on Multilateral Export Controls, Japan, U.S., NATO 3. Toshiba Machine, Kongsberg Vaapenfabrik, C. Itoh <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): 1. "dual-use" technology: a technology usable in both non-military and military products </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 108 <dom> Domain: International Economics <title> Topic: Japanese Protectionist Measures <desc> Description: Document will report on Japanese policies or practices which help protect Japan's domestic market from foreign competition. <smry> Summary: Document will report on Japanese policies or practices which help protect Japan's domestic market from foreign competition. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will identify a Japanese law or regulation, a governmental policy or administrative procedure, a corporate custom, or a business practice which discourages, or even prevents, entry into the Japanese market by foreign goods and services. A document which reports generally on market penetration difficulties but which does not identify a specific Japanese barrier to trade is NOT relevant. <con> Concept(s): 1. Japan 2. Ministry of International Trade and Industry, MITI, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 3. protectionism, protect 4. tariff, subsidy, quota, dumping, obstruction, retaliation 5. structural impediment, product standard 6. trade dispute, barrier, tension, imbalance, practice 7. market access, free trade, liberalize, reciprocity 8. Super 301, 301 clause <fac> Factor(s): <nat> Nationality: Japan </fac> <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 111 <dom> Domain: International Relations <title> Topic: Nuclear Proliferation <desc> Description: Document will discuss efforts by the United Nations or those nations currently possessing nuclear weapons to control the proliferation of nuclear weapons capabilities to the non-nuclear weapons states. <smry> Summary: Document will discuss efforts by the United Nations or those nations currently possessing nuclear weapons to control the proliferation of nuclear weapons capabilities to the non-nuclear weapons states. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will report on efforts by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor compliance with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, or, report on efforts by the United States, Britain, France, USSR, India, or China to control the transfer of technology, equipment, materials, or delivery systems to nations suspected of nuclear weapons development programs, or, a relevant document will report any nuclear activities by Argentina, Brazil, Iraq, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, or South Africa (all suspected proliferators). <con> Concept(s): 1. International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, international safeguards, Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty 2. nuclear, atomic bomb, reprocessing, spent fuel, plutonium, enriched uranium, heavy water 3. Department of Engery, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Nuclear Control Institute 4. United States, Britain, France, USSR, India, China 5. Argentina, Brazil, Iraq, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, South Africa <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 114 <dom> Domain: International Politics <title> Topic: Non-commercial Satellite Launches <desc> Description: Document will provide data on launches worldwide of non-commercial space satellites. <smry> Summary: Document will provide data on actual launches worldwide of non-commercial space satellites. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will provide information which helps identify the purpose and capabilities of satellites launched anywhere in the world which might have non-commercial applications. Accordingly, periodic launches of INTELSAT communications satellites are clearly NOT relevant. On the other hand, data on launches of military communication or intelligence sensor satellites are definitely relevant. Potentially useful data on any given launch would be press comment as to whether the satellite has a military, scientific, or intelligence purpose, type of launch vehicle employed, reported satellite configuration, launch trajectory and speed, projected orbit, etc. <con> Concept(s): 1. satellite launch, military communications, intelligence satellite 2. launch vehicle, trajectory, orbit <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): INTELSAT: a 113-nation consortium with a near monopoly on international satellite communications. COMSAT: the congressionally chartered U.S. satellite communications company which holds 25% of INTELSAT's stock. </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 118 <dom> Domain: International Politics <title> Topic: International Terrorists <desc> Description: Document will provide background information on international terrorist groups or individuals, or detail the activities of such groups or individuals. <smry> Summary: Document will provide background information on international terrorist groups or individuals, or detail the activities of such groups or individuals. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will report such information as the history, objectives, structure, areas of operation, identities of members and supporters, or activities of international terrorist groups and individuals. Information must be sufficient to place the document into the international terrorism category, as defined below, so as to distinguish the report from those which detail activities by rebel groups pejoratively labeled as "terrorist" by a regime under attack. <con> Concept(s): 1. terrorist, terrorism, international terrorist (or terrorism) <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): International Terrorism: as defined in Title 22 of the U.S. Code, Section 2656F(d), terrorism is premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience. By extension, international terrorism transcends national boundaries and involves the citizens, property, or territory of more than one country. </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 119 <dom> Domain: International Politics <title> Topic: Actions Against International Terrorists <desc> Description: Document will report activities by established political authorities against international terrorists. <smry> Summary: Document will report activities by established government authorities against international terrorists and their sponsors. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will report on military, political, economic, or legal actions taken against international terrorists, or states accused of sponsoring terrorism, by recognized governments worldwide. The official action must be against groups or individuals (or their sponsors) who fit the international terrorist mold, as defined below, rather than be actions against opponents of a government who are labeled as "terrorist" for political or propaganda purposes. <con> Concept(s): 1. terrorist, terrorism, international terrorist (or terrorism) <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): International Terrorism: as defined in Title 22 of the U.S. Code, Section 2656F(d), terrorism is premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience. By extension, international terrorism transcends national boundaries and involves the citizens, property, or territory of more than one country. </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 121 <dom> Domain: Medical & Biological <title> Topic: Death from Cancer <desc> Description: Document will discuss the life and death of a prominent U.S. person from a specific form of cancer. <smry> Summary: Document will discuss the life and death of a prominent U.S. person from a specific form of cancer. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will provide obituary information on a prominent U.S. person who died of an identified type of cancer. In addition to the individual's name and cancer, the report must provide sufficient biographical information for a determination of why the life and contributions of the individual were worthy of some comment upon death. In other words, a one or two line obituary is NOT sufficient. <con> Concept(s): 1. cancer 2. death, obituary <fac> Factor(s): <nat> Nationality: U.S. <time> Time: current </fac> <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 123 <dom> Domain: Medical & Biological <title> Topic: Research into & Control of Carcinogens <desc> Description: Document will report on studies into linkages between environmental factors or chemicals which might cause cancer, and/or it will report on governmental actions to identify, control, or limit exposure to those factors or chemicals which have been shown to be carcinogenic. <smry> Summary: Document will report on studies into linkages between environmental factors or chemicals which might cause cancer, and/or it will report on governmental actions to identify, control, or limit exposure to those factors or chemicals which have been shown to be carcinogenic. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will report on research into linkages between cancer and environmental hazards and/or the efforts of governments to limit exposure of their people to carcinogens. The governmental action may be of any category, e.g. entry into international agreements, enactment of domestic laws, issuance of administrative regulations, support of carcinogen research, air and soil sampling, launching of public education campaigns, etc. <con> Concept(s): 1. cancer, carcinogen 2. treaty, agreement, law, regulation, study, research, education, Super Fund <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 125 <dom> Domain: Law & Government <title> Topic: Anti-smoking Actions by Government <desc> Description: Document will describe actions by public authorities to limit the human use of tobacco. <smry> Summary: Document will describe actions by public authorities to limit the human use of tobacco. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will provide at least one example of actions proposed or taken by public authorities anywhere in the world to limit or discourage the human use of tobacco. Limits may take any regulatory or legal form appropriate to that jurisdiction, to include sales controls, limits on advertisement, mandatory warning labels, and establishment of no-smoking zones. Court findings against tobacco companies (if any), as well as publicly financed anti-smoking campaigns and education programs, are to be considered as relevant forms of discouragement. In addition, public funding of medical research into tobacco use is relevant information. However, private anti-smoking initiatives, such as creating no-smoking areas, are NOT relevant unless traceable in origin to government action. Also NOT relevant are contradictory, pro-tobacco government actions, such as tobacco price support programs and export encouragements. <con> Concept(s): 1. tobacco 2. smoking, anti-smoking <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 126 <dom> Domain: Medical & Biological <title> Topic: Medical Ethics and Modern Technology <desc> Description: Document will discuss ethical issues attendant to contemporary advances in medical technology. <smry> Summary: Document will discuss ethical issues attendant to contemporary advances in medical technology. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will report on non-traditional medical ethics issues which have been created by recent (post WWII) advances in medical science and/or the efforts of the medical community to deal with such ethical issues. Relevant reports include those on such issues as the decision process for selecting organ transplant recipients, whether to place or remove a patient from a life-support machine ("when to pull the plug"), whether or not to employ advanced techniques on defective newborns, and the use of fetal tissue and human cells in biomedical research. NOT relevant are reports on such traditional issues as abortion, mercy killing, and assisted suicide. Also NOT relevant are reports on the long-established legal/ethical issue of the right to privacy, as it relates to such contemporary public health problems as mandatory testing and contact tracing for AIDS. <con> Concept(s): 1. medical ethics 2. hospital ethicist, medical ethics counseling 3. triage, terminally ill, abortion, assisted suicide 4. fetal tissue, organ transplant, life support machine, artificial insemination <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> <top> <head> Tipster Topic Description <num> Number: 142 <dom> Domain: International Relations <title> Topic: Impact of Government Regulated Grain Farming on International Relations <desc> Description: Document will show how and why national governments supervise and protect their own growers of grain and/or how these policies impact a nation's foreign trade and diplomatic relations. <smry> Summary: Document will show how or why national governments supervise and protect their own growers of grain or how these policies impact a nation's foreign trade and diplomatic relations. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will demonstrate specifically how a government anywhere in the world protects domestic production of grains (such as corn, rice, and wheat), provide the rationale for such policies (if available), and/or demonstrate the linkage between such domestic agricultural policies and a nation`s foreign trade and diplomatic relations. <con> Concept(s): 1. export subsidies, export restitution, import quotas, farm-trade barriers 2. price supports, farm subsidies, agricultural supports 3. self-sufficiency, embargo, import dependence, high quality food supply, farm interests 4. grain, animal feed, corn, rice, wheat 5. foreign trade, trade negotiations, agricultural policy 6. EC's Common Agricultural Policy, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Zenchu, Liberal Democratic Party, LDP, U.S.'s Export Enchancement Program, food importing countries <fac> Factor(s): <def> Definition(s): </top> </top> <top> <num> Number: 154 <title> Topic: Oil Spills <desc> Description: Document will identify major oil spills throughout the world. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will note the location of the spill, amount of oil spilled, and the responsible corporation, if known. This will include shipborne accidents, offshore drilling and holding tank spills, but should not include intentional spills such as Iraq/Kuwait or leakage from broken pipes. References to legislation brought about by a spill, litigation and clean up efforts associated with a spill are not relevant unless specifics of the spill are included. </top> <top> <num> Number: 161 <title> Topic: Acid Rain <desc> Description: Document will provide information on the problems and actions associated with what is known as acid rain. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document should include any of the problem areas associated with what is known as acid rain. Relevant data would include such areas as the source, possible cause, actions taken to correct or eliminate, and the areas of the country/world affected. Other items of interest would be any joint nation agreements/actions, legislative actions, and data or comments on the cost of clean up versus the benefits to be gained. Not relevant documents would be those that contain only general comments on the subject with no real facts or recommendations or those deemed to be politically motivated. Also documents containing only generalized or brief statements on upcoming visits, meetings, legislation related to the acid rain problem would be non-relevant unless they contain specific facts relating to the acid rain problem. </top> <top> <num> Number: 173 <title> Topic: Smoking Bans <desc> Description: Document will provide data on smoking bans initiated worldwide in the public and private sector workplace, on various modes of public transportation, and in commercial advertising. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document would include data on smoking bans that have been initiated worldwide in the workplace, on various modes of transportation, and in commercial advertising. Relevant information would include such data as who initiated the ban, affected areas, enforcement policy/procedures if any, and any penalties that may be imposed. Also relevant would be tobacco company reactions, legislation imposing a smoking ban, and legal actions or court decisions pertaining to a smoking ban. Not relevant would be documents containing public or private sector comments on smoking in general but not related to a specific ban. Also not relevant would be documents related to health hazards associated with smoking and not referring to a smoking ban. </top> <top> <num> Number: 185 <title> Topic: Reform of the U.S. Welfare System <desc> Description: Document will report on reform of welfare system in the U.S. at the federal, state or local levels of government. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will report on the actual or proposed overhaul of the welfare system at all levels of government. Some examples of reforms to the welfare system are work, education and training programs aimed primarily at welfare recipients. </top> <top> <num> Number: 187 <title> Topic: Signs of the Demise of Independent Publishing <desc> Description: Document must identify instances of the loss of independence by publishers, from the sale or merger of their business or publication, or the sale of a significant interest in it to another person or company. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document might describe the purchase of a publishing house by a more diversified industry, the takeover of a small publisher by a larger one, or the merger of two or more publishers or publications. The closing of a publishing house, subsidiary, imprint, magazine, or newspaper would also be relevant. In general, a relevant document will indicate the narrowing of the publishing industry. </top> <top> <num> Number: 189 <title> Topic: Real Motives for Murder <desc> Description: Document must identify a murderer's motive for killing a person or persons in a true case. <narr> Narrative: Most relevant would be a description of an intentional murder with a statement of the murderer's motive. An unintentional murder, such as in a charge of second-degree homicide, would be relevant if a motive is stated for an action which clearly led to the victim's death. </top> <top> <num> Number: 192 <title> Topic: Oil Spill Cleanup <desc> Description: Document will identify a method, procedure, or chemical used in cleaning up oil spills such as the Exxon Valdez. Only oil spills on water (ocean, bay, lake, etc.) will be used. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant a document will identify a method, procedure, or chemical process used in cleaning up the water and beaches after a major oil spill, such as the Exxon Valdez incident. The mere mention of cleanup efforts without identifying the method or chemical used is not relevant. A document that refers to a procedure such as scrubbing, spraying, etc. is relevant. References to the cost of cleanup and number of people and equipment involved without mentioning the method are not relevant. </top> <top> <num> Number: 193 <title> Topic: Toys R Dangerous <desc> Description: Document will report the dangers of certain toys to children and the activities by consumer safety groups and parents against production and retail of these dangerous toys. <narr> Narrative: A relevant document will feature information compiled by consumer safety groups and concerned parents on manufactured toys they consider dangerous to the health of children and the harm that toy could cause a child. A relevant document may present information on the number of injuries or deaths caused by dangerous toys, which may cause follow- on actions by the manufacturer to include recalls or discontinuance of the production of the toy. A non-relevant document would contain information regarding the general production, advertisment and sale of toys. </top> <top> <num> Number: 194 <title> Topic: The Amount of Money Earned by Writers <desc> Description: Document must quote amount of money earned by writers as a result of their writing efforts. <narr> Narrative: Amount of money quoted may refer to money paid to a writer for a single item, such as a book advance or a movie deal; or may be cumulative over a period of time. It may also result from ancillary activities such as speaking engagements resulting from what they have written. Writing in any medium is relevant. A figure may also refer to a range, such as an industry standard, instead of a particular payment. </top> <top> <num> Number: 195 <title> Topic: Stock Market Perturbations Attributable to Computer Initiated Trading <desc> Description: Document will discuss positive or negative instances of stock market shifts primarily owing to computer assisted trading initiatives. <narr> Narrative: To be relevant, a document will report on what stock market analysts or financial reporters consider reportable upward or downward shifts in any world-wide market caused at least partially if not entirely by computer programs which upon recognition of certain conditions triggered a buy or sell action by any category of stock market investor (individual, company, fund, etc). </top> <top> <num> Number: 202 <desc> Description: Status of nuclear proliferation treaties -- violations and monitoring. </top> <top> <num> Number: 207 <desc> Description: What are the prospects of the Quebec separatists achieving independence from the rest of Canada? </top> <top> <num> Number: 211 <desc> Description: How effective are the driving while intoxicated (DWI) regulations? Has the number of deaths caused by DWI been significantly lowered? Why aren't penalties as harsh for DWI drivers as for the sober driver. </top> <top> <num> Number: 221 <desc> Description: Steps taken by church, governments, community, civic organizations to halt carnage among youths engaged in drug or gang warfare. </top> <top> <num> Number: 222 <desc> Description: Is there data available to suggest that capital punishment is a deterrent to crime? </top> <top> <num> Number: 224 <desc> Description: What can be done to lower blood pressure for people diagnosed with high blood pressure? Include benefits and side effects. </top> <top> <num> Number: 228 <desc> Description: What are some of the biggest success stories in recent years concerning environmental recovery from pollution? </top> <top> <num> Number: 237 <desc> Description: Identify alternative sources of energy for automobiles. Include additives to gasoline that either decrease pollution or reduce oil consumption. </top> <top> <num> Number: 240 <desc> Description: What controls, agreements, technological advances or equipment are now in use or planned to assist in combating terrorism? </top> <top> <num> Number: 243 <desc> Description: Should the government restrict the use of fossil fuels as energy resources by private corporations and public utilities? </top>