New version of search and processing software facilitates database searches and post-processing of results, analysing hits and automatically creating tables and bar charts
STN International, a provider of sci-tech online databases, has considerably enhanced its software for professional database searches.
According to Fiz Karlsruhe, the new Windows version 7.0 of STN Express with Discover contains first-class new features for STN database searches and for post-processing of results.
The possibility of automatically carrying out complex search routines and display of results are particularly useful when searching for chemical or patent information.
STN Express with Discover 7.0 features a package of new aids for online searches.
Of particular importance is the provision of an interactive CA thesaurus.
When a term is used in the search query for which synonyms exist in the CA thesaurus, the program will highlight this term in the search line.
The CA thesaurus can be opened by clicking the right mouse key and offers the possibility of expanding the search term.
If 'add terms' is selected, STN Express with Discover 7.0 adds the matching terms to the current search query. STN Express with Discover 7.0 for Windows also provides automatic aids, the so-called wizards.
The Select Discover wizard, a central element, keeps a log of the current search history and displays it as a list of L-numbers.
All wizards available for searching and results processing in version 7.0 are shown as click-on buttons at the left and at the right side of the L-numbers.
When touching an L-number with the mouse, the search query preceding this search step is displayed.
A mouse click can then activate the corresponding wizards available for this L-number.
Example: You analyse search results and create Excel charts at the push of a button.
Thereby, two data levels can be analysed at the same time and jointly displayed, eg, with patent searches the patent applicants together with the years of publication.
The wizard guides through the parameter selection process (eg, presetting of analysis fields).
If desired, search results can be displayed as tables and/or bar diagrams.
The results can be further processed in Excel with all Excel functions available (free selection of font, type size and computing functions) and combined with other Windows programs like Word.
Thus, for example, a concise table displaying the results of a patent search can be created.
One example for the capabilities of STN Express with Discover 7.0 regarding chemical information retrieval is the variable group analysis feature. Using this, the common substructures of chemical substances contained in an answer set can be displayed as tables and/or structure images, also indicating the node of R-Groups.
There are also functions for modifying R-groups during the post-processing. In the structure database Registry, other wizards help to find similar or identical polymers through the Polylink function and to search similar biosequences with Seqlink.
STN Express with Discover is a sophisticated software package for convenient and efficient searches in sci-tech online databases on STN International and other online hosts.
It supports all search steps including preparation and post-processing and also offers access to full texts in print or electronic form STN with Discover 7.0 costs €210.
