topics.351-400.txt

<top>

<num> Number: 351 
<title> Falkland petroleum exploration 

<desc> Description: 
What information is available on petroleum exploration in 
the South Atlantic near the Falkland Islands?

<narr> Narrative: 
Any document discussing petroleum exploration in the
South Atlantic near the Falkland Islands is considered
relevant.  Documents discussing petroleum exploration in 
continental South America are not relevant.

</top>


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<num> Number: 352 
<title> British Chunnel impact  

<desc> Description: 
What impact has the Chunnel had on the British economy and/or 
the life style of the British?

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

 - projected and actual impact on the life styles of the British 
 - Long term changes to economic policy and relations
 - major changes to other transportation systems linked with 
   the Continent

Documents discussing the following issues are not relevant:

 - expense and construction schedule 
 - routine marketing ploys by other channel crossers (i.e.,
   schedule changes, price drops, etc.) 
 
</top>


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<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>


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<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>


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<num> Number: 355
<title> ocean remote sensing 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents discussing the development and application of
spaceborne ocean remote sensing.

<narr> Narrative: 
Documents discussing the development and application of spaceborne 
ocean remote sensing in oceanography, seabed prospecting and 
mining, or any marine-science activity are relevant.  Documents 
that discuss the application of satellite remote sensing in 
geography, agriculture, forestry, mining and mineral prospecting 
or any land-bound science are not relevant, nor are references 
to international marketing or promotional advertizing of any 
remote-sensing technology.  Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) 
employed in ocean remote sensing is relevant.

</top>


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<num> Number: 356
<title> postmenopausal estrogen Britain

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents discussing the use of estrogen by 
postmenopausal women in Britain. 

<narr> Narrative: 
The use of hormone replacement therapy outside of the United 
Kingdom is not relevant.  United Kingdom and British 
development and marketing of estrogen suppressing 
drugs are relevant.   

</top>


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<num> Number: 357
<title> territorial waters dispute 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents discussing international boundary 
disputes relevant to the 200-mile special economic 
zones or 12-mile territorial waters subsequent to 
the passing of the "International Convention on the 
Law of the Sea".

<narr> Narrative: 
To be relevant, documents must discuss an international 
boundary dispute relevant to the 200-mile special 
economic zones or 12-mile territorial waters subsequent 
to the passing of the "International Convention on the 
Law of the Sea".  Documents that merely express agreement 
or disagreement with any of the precepts of the "Law of 
the Sea" are not relevant, nor are any documents that 
passively allude to the existence of the convention or 
any of its non-controversial applications. 

</top>


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<num> Number: 358
<title> blood-alcohol fatalities

<desc> Description: 
What role does blood-alcohol level play in 
automobile accident fatalities?

<narr> Narrative: 
Relevant documents must contain information
on automobile accidents in which there was a 
fatality and the blood-alcohol level of the
driver of the vehicle must be identified.
 
</top>


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<num> Number: 359
<title> mutual fund predictors 

<desc> Description: 
Are there reliable and consistent predictors of
mutual fund performance?

<narr> Narrative: 
A document must contain at least one factor 
such as: rankings, risks, yields, or costs,
and fund performance to be relevant.  
Documents that discuss mutual fund rankings 
are considered relevant.  

</top>


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<num> Number: 360
<title> drug legalization benefits 

<desc> Description: 
What are the benefits, if any, of drug legalization?

<narr> Narrative: 
Relevant documents may contain information on perceived
benefits of drug legalization, such as crime reduction, 
improved treatment using monies which otherwise would 
have gone for crime fighting, reduced drug addiction, 
and increased governmental income.  Documents that 
discuss drug legalization and whether legalization
is or is not perceived to be beneficial are relevant.
 
</top>


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<num> Number: 361
<title> clothing sweatshops 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss clothing sweatshops.

<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document must identify the country, the working
conditions, salary, and type of clothing or shoes being 
produced.  Relevant documents may also include the name of 
the business or company or the type of manufacturing, such 
as:  "designer label".

</top>


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<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>


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<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>


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<num> Number: 364
<title> rabies 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents discussing cases where rabies
have been confirmed and what, if anything, is 
being done about it.
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document identifies confirmed cases 
of rabies and may contain actions taken to correct 
the problem.

</top>


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<num> Number: 365
<title> El Nino 

<desc> Description: 
What effects have been attributed to El Nino?
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A document is relevant if it describes a particular
phenomenon (either specific event or generalization)
like flood, drought, warming, etc. and names 
El Nino as the cause or as being a contributing 
factor.

</top>


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<num> Number: 366
<title> commercial cyanide uses 

<desc> Description: 
What are the industrial or commercial uses of 
cyanide or its derivatives? 
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A document is relevant if it names or describes a 
process that uses cyanide commercially or mentions
that cyanide-rich waste comes from a particular
industry.  

</top>


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<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>


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<num> Number: 368
<title> in vitro fertilization 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss in vitro
fertilization.
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document will describe any aspect
of the process of in vitro fertilization:
uniting two human germ cells (sperm and egg)
outside of the human body and in an artificial
environment.   Documents that describe related 
techniques, such as the freezing of eggs, 
sperm, or embryos for future implantation are
also relevant.

</top>


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<num> Number: 369
<title> anorexia nervosa bulimia 

<desc> Description: 
What are the causes and treatments of anorexia nervosa
and bulimia?
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document will describe the causes of the 
eating disorders, anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
Documents that describe symptoms including the taking of 
laxatives, self-induced vomiting and excessive exercise 
are relevant.  Discussions of the treatment of the 
disorders are also relevant.

</top>


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<num> Number: 370
<title> food/drug laws 

<desc> Description: 
What are the laws dealing with the quality and processing
of food, beverages, or drugs?
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document will contain specific information on 
the laws dealing with such matters as quality control in
processing, the use of additives and preservatives, the 
avoidance of impurities and poisonous substances, spoilage
prevention, nutritional enrichment, and/or the grading of
meat and vegetables.  Relevant information includes, but 
is not limited to, federal regulations targeting three 
major areas of label abuse:  deceptive definitions, 
misleading health claims, and untrue serving sizes and
proposed standard definitions for such terms as high 
fiber and low fat.

</top>


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<num> Number: 371
<title> health insurance holistic 

<desc> Description: 
What is the extent of health insurance coverage of 
holistic or other non-traditional medicine/medical treatments
(for example, acupuncture)?

<narr> Narrative: 
Discussions of whether or not particular health insurance
plans cover alternative treatments are relevant.  Discussions
of coverage for preventative programs such as health 
education or wellness sessions are also relevant.

</top>


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<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: 373
<title> encryption equipment export 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss the concerns of
the United States regarding the export of 
encryption equipment.

<narr> Narrative: 
Documents that merely mention the name of a company
or group that produces encryption equipment but does
not mention the exportation and/or commercial exploitation
of the encryption equipment are not relevant.  Documents 
which refer to governmental access into the encryption 
systems for the purposes of counter-intelligence or 
anti-crime activities are relevant. 

</top>


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<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>


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<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>


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<num> Number: 376
<title> World Court 

<desc> Description: 
What types of cases were heard by the World Court
(International Court of Justice)?

<narr> Narrative: 
Documents that report on particular cases heard by the
World Court, including war tribunals created by the 
Court, are relevant.
 
</top>


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<num> Number: 377
<title> cigar smoking 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss the renewed 
popularity of cigar smoking.

<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document will discuss the extent of
the resurgence of cigar smoking or the social
and economic issues attendant to it.  Documents
that discuss "Cigar Nights", "Cigar Rooms" and
cigar production are relevant.

</top>


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<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>


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<num> Number: 379
<title> mainstreaming 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss mainstreaming
children with physical or mental impairments.

<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document will include the pros and
cons of mainstreaming children with physical
or mental impairments, the benefits to the 
impaired child, as well as the attitude, beliefs
and concerns of teachers and school administrators
with regard to taking time away from the "normal
children". 

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 380
<title> obesity medical treatment 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss medical treatment
of obesity. 

<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document should identify prescribed
legal medications or treatments used to combat
obesity and the positive or negative affects
resulting from the applications.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 381
<title> alternative medicine 

<desc> Description: 
What forms of alternative medicine are being
used in the treatment of illnesses or diseases
and how successful are they?

<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document should identify a form of
alternative medicine which is being utilized 
in the treatment of a disease or illness, 
identify the illness or disease being treated,
and provide an indication of the success of the
procedure.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 382
<title> hydrogen fuel automobiles 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss the use of hydrogen as 
a fuel for piston driven automobiles (safe storage a
concern) or the use of hydrogen in fuel cells to generate
electricity to drive the car.
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document may discuss either hydrogen using fuel 
cells to electrically power automobiles or it may discuss 
the safe storage of hydrogen gas in a fuel tank through 
the use of metal hydrides for use in piston engines. 

</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: 384
<title> space station moon 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss the building of
a space station with the intent of colonizing the
moon.
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document will discuss the purpose of a 
space station, initiatives towards colonizing the 
moon, impediments which thus far have thwarted such a 
project, plans currently underway or in the planning
stages for such a venture; cost, countries prepared
to make a commitment of men, resources, facilities
and money to accomplish such a feat.

</top>


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<num> Number: 385
<title> hybrid fuel cars 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss the current status of
hybrid automobile engines, (i.e., cars fueled by something
other than gasoline only).
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document may include research on non-gasoline 
powered engines or prototypes that may be fueled by natural 
gas, methanol, alcohol; cost to the consumer; health benefits 
derived; and shortcomings in horsepower and passenger comfort.

</top>


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<num> Number: 386
<title> teaching disabled children 

<desc> Description: 
What methods are currently utilized or anticipated in 
the teaching of disabled children?
  
<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document should identify a method or procedure
currently used in the teaching of disabled children or one 
that is anticipated being available in the near future. 

</top>


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<num> Number: 387
<title> radioactive waste 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss effective and safe ways to 
permanently handle long-lived radioactive wastes.
 
<narr> Narrative: 
Documents that discuss incineration, cementation, bitumenization, 
vitrification, and in underground nuclear explosion are relevant.

</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 388
<title> organic soil enhancement 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss the use of organic
fertilizers (composted sludge, ash, vegetable waste, 
microorganisms, etc.) as soil enhancers. 
  
<narr> Narrative: 
The focus of the topic is on soil enhancement.  
Documents that discuss other uses of organic material
are not relevant, nor are documents that concentrate
solely on chemical fertilizers.

</top>


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<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>


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<num> Number: 390
<title> orphan drugs 

<desc> Description: 
Find documents that discuss issues associated with so-called 
"orphan drugs", that is, drugs that treat diseases affecting 
relatively few people.
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document will discuss how the Orphan Drug Act 
is working on behalf of those who suffer from orphan 
diseases and conditions, or how this matter is handled in 
other countries.
 
</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 391
<title> R&D drug prices 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss the impact of the cost of research
and development (R&D) on the price of drugs.  

<narr> Narrative: 
Documents that describe how any aspect of the development of a drug
affects its price are relevant.  Documents that discuss other factors
that affect drug prices, such as advertising, without also discussing
R&D costs, are not relevant.

 
</top>


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<num> Number: 392
<title> robotics 

<desc> Description: 
What are the applications of robotics in the world today?

<narr> Narrative: 
Documents concerning R&D or testing of robotic equipment
are not relevant, nor are documents discussing future 
applications of robotics.  If the task completed seems to
be merely another computer function rather than a task 
usually done by people, then it is not relevant.
 
</top>


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<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>


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<num> Number: 395
<title> tourism 

<desc> Description: 
Provide examples of successful attempts to attract 
tourism as a means to improve a local economy.

<narr> Narrative: 
To be relevant, a selected document will specify
the entity (city, state, country, governmental unit)
which has achieved an economic increase due to the 
entity's efforts at boosting tourism.  Documents 
which only concern plans for increasing tourism are
not relevant, only documents which detail an actual
increase are relevant.
 
</top>


<top>

<num> Number: 396
<title> sick building syndrome 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss sick building syndrome or
building-related illnesses.
 
<narr> Narrative: 
A relevant document would contain any data that refers to 
the sick building or building-related illnesses, including
illnesses caused by asbestos, air conditioning, pollution
controls.  Work-related illnesses not caused by the building,
such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are not 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: 398
<title> dismantling Europe's arsenal 

<desc> Description: 
Identify documents that discuss the 
European Conventional Arms Cut as it
relates to the dismantling of Europe's
arsenal.
 
<narr> Narrative: 
Relevant documents may address any of the
following issues:  reducing conventional (non-
nuclear) forces in Europe (CFE), efforts toward 
reduction that have begun or have been accomplished, 
the numbers of weapons or manpower reduced through 
this treaty, comparisons of numbers of reductions 
made by the Warsaw Pact and NATO, and the effect 
this arms cut is having on European nations.
 
</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: 400 
<title> Amazon rain forest 

<desc> Description: 
What measures are being taken by local South
American authorities to preserve the Amazon
tropical rain forest?
 
<narr> Narrative: 
Relevant documents may identify: the official 
organizations, institutions, and individuals
of the countries included in the Amazon rain
forest; the measures being taken by them to
preserve the rain forest; and indications of
degrees of success in these endeavors.
 
</top>