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The first section of this precis summarizes the general nature of the present chemical information systems of the world. The discussion is presented in four parts: (1) the primary literature, (2) secondary sources and services, (3) libraries and information centers and (4) other elements categorized as informal communications. The second section presents material on advanced developments by discussing some facets of computer-assisted publication and presenting brief descriptions of four systems which use or will use computers in handling scientific information. Problems encountered by chemical information systems in trying to provide access to needed information to their users and some suggested solutions to these problems are discussed in the final section. (Author/NH)

The data used for this report was prepared mainly from correspondence as described in the introduction, Chapter I. The manufacture, distribution and processing of original scientific information today is considered in Chapter II. This Chapter is devoted to the tasks of establishing precise definitions of the vocabulary used in the field (e.g. Communication, Information, Documentation, Papers, Notes, Letters, etc.) and to an attempt to give a rough classification of scientific journals as they exist at present. Chapter III describes the growth of primary journals as seen through the evolution of a sample and Chapter IV is concerned with the evolution of original scientific literature as seen through some of the major abstracting periodicals. Chapter V is devoted to an examination of the evolution of the present situation of scientific information problems, together with a brief study of some attempts or proposals to deal with these problems by either evolutionary or revolutionary procedures. A brief conclusion to the report appears as Chapter VI. (Author/NH)

The 1971 General Assembly and full board meetings of the International Council of Scientific Unions Abstracting Board (ICSU AB) were held in July at Orleans, France. This volume is the published proceedings of those meetings. The first part of the Proceedings is a detailed description of the activities of the Board. The second part records the most recent developments in the activities of the ICSU AB Members, in particular Member Services (the largest Abstracting and Indexing Services all over the world) and Member Unions, in all aspects of scientific and technical information. The third part comprises reports from the most important international organizations active in scientific and technical information. In the fourth part the proceedings of a special session with representatives of primary publications and devoted to the development of closer cooperation between primary and secondary publications are recorded. Finally the fifth part is an outline of another special session which was devoted to an interchange of views about marketing of secondary information services. This publication represents an up-to-data overview of the most recent developments in scientific and technical information worldwide. (Author/SJ)

The Commission on Monitoring of the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) has submitted this report to the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. It reviews: (1) the origin, objectives, and membership of SCOPE and the Monitoring Committee; (2) basic considerations for a global monitoring system; (3) environmental problems of critical importance; (4) environmental variables appropriate for monitoring; (5) the design of global environmental monitoring; and (6) operational and institutional arrangements. Eighteen recommendations for a global environmental monitoring system are presented based on the findings of the Monitoring Committee. They provide criteria for environmental management in developed countries as well as enabling developing countries avoid environmental disamenities and establish a rational system of natural resource management. The Committee has determined that such a global system can best be created through national efforts and by inter-governmental cooperation at the level of the United Nations, combined with strong supportive and advisory activities within the international scientific community. (BL)

The proceedings of the 1972 full board meeting of the International Council of Scientific Unions Abstracting Board (ICSU AB) held in Ustaoset, Norway are contained in this volume. The first part of the Proceedings is a detailed description of the activities of the Board. Activities of ICSU AB Member Unions and Member Countries in all aspects of scientific and technical information are described in the second part. The third part records the most recent developments in the activities of the ICSU AB Member Services (the largest abstracting and indexing services all over the world). The fourth part comprises reports from the most important international organizations active in scientific and technical information. In the fifth part the proceedings of a Round Table on "Education of Scientists in the Use of Information" are recorded. Papers presented at a special session on the indexing of primary journals are given in the sixth part. Finally, the seventh part is an outline of another special session which was devoted to an interchange of views about marketing of secondary information services. (Proceedings of the 1970 and 1971 meetings are ED 046 465 and ED 060 854.) (Author/SJ)

In view of the vital role which scientific and technical information has come to play in the development of nations, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) was authorized to undertake and to complete jointly with the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) a feasibility study on the establishment of a world science information system (UNISIST). A Unesco/ICSU Central Committee was created in January 1967 to carry out the feasibility study. The conclusions of this study and a description of the proposed World Science Information System are contained in the Study Report, of which this is a synopsis. A description of UNISIST, its background, trends toward cooperations, recommendations, and implementation plans, program priorities and benefits and values are summarized. Appendices include a listing of the members and the working groups. (Author/AB)

Since it was founded in 1952, the International Council of Scientific Unions Abstracting Board (ICSU AB) has convened at least once a year, a general assembly or full board meeting held in different cities in the world. This is the first publication of the proceedings of the meeting. It not only includes reports on the activities of the Board, its committees and working groups, but also progress reports from members and from specially invited observers. Session I describes the activities of the ICSU AB. Session II covers the proposed program for future work of the ICSU AB. Session III gives reports from member services and member unions of the ICSU AB. Finally, session IV contains reports from associate members and observers. This comprehensive publication gives some insight on the many ICSU AB activities and of the new developments and services to meet the information needs of scientists and technologists. The review, summary and conclusions of the meeting are appended. (NH)