Abstract The papers presented at the 2002 Tri‐Society Symposium on Chemical Information highlight questions we should consider as we develop new paradigms for information storage and retrieval systems. These new knowledge management systems will require novel approaches for data discovery, collection development, and the changing role of the librarian. This introductory essay discusses new and challenging integrated tools for data manipulation, the confusing and embryonic differential pricing and package deals for journal materials, and the changing role of the librarian in this rapidly transforming industry.

Grid systems, such as Globus, Legion and Globe, provide an infrastructure for implementing metacomputing over the Internet. The Component Architecture Toolkit (CAT) provides a software layer above the grid that facilitates programming and end-user interaction with the grid.

In this paper new classes of algorithms are developed for processing of two-dimensional image data imbedded in correlated noise. The algorithms are based on modifications of standard analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques involving Latin Square (LS) technique and ensuring their proper operation in dependent noise. The LS technique enables us to analyse three effects, including the gray level (or diagonal) effect instead of two based on the same data, for two-way designs. Though the theoretical development leading to the actual image processing procedure is laborious and complicated, the actual procedure is simple, robust and useful in real-time applications. The efficiency of all algorithms for processing image data corrupted by statistically-dependent noise is verified by extensive Monte-Carlo simulations.

Electronic Systems Diagnosis, be it at the Device, Board, or System level, is a complex and time consuming task. Various techniques have been developed to provide design aids to the maintenance technician, each with its own successes and limitations, typically in terms of performance versus complexity issues. This paper demonstrates a novel integration of such techniques to provide for an effective and efficient approach to expert diagnosis of complex systems.