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The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new similarity method to gauge the differences between two subject hierarchical structures.

In the proposed similarity measure, nodes on two hierarchical structures are projected onto a two-dimensional space, respectively, and both structural similarity and subject similarity of nodes are considered in the similarity between the two hierarchical structures. The extent to which the structural similarity impacts on the similarity can be controlled by adjusting a parameter. An experiment was conducted to evaluate soundness of the measure. Eight experts whose research interests were information retrieval and information organization participated in the study. Results from the new measure were compared with results from the experts.

The evaluation shows strong correlations between the results from the new method and the results from the experts. It suggests that the similarity method achieved satisfactory results.

Hierarchical structures that are found in subject directories, taxonomies, classification systems, and other classificatory structures play an extremely important role in information organization and information representation. Measuring the similarity between two subject hierarchical structures allows an accurate overarching understanding of the degree to which the two hierarchical structures are similar.

Both structural similarity and subject similarity of nodes were considered in the proposed similarity method, and the extent to which the structural similarity impacts on the similarity can be adjusted. In addition, a new evaluation method for a hierarchical structure similarity was presented.

The purpose of this article is to report on sessions the author attended at the 2013 ASIS&T Conference.

The approach is an informal review of sessions and events the author attended.

This report condenses the author's notes from various events and sessions at the conference.

This is an original conference report written after attending the conference.

To raise consciousness among librarians and library directors about the need to structure our descriptive data for library resources in a way that is machine-actionable in the Semantic Web, not just the library silos of MARC-based systems.

Narrative overview.

By assuring library metadata is in a well-formed structure, libraries can place access to their collections on the Web where their users are.

The new cataloging code, Resource Description and Access (RDA), is one step in the direction toward more interoperability in the Semantic Web.

New perspective on this issue is to urge librarians to work with systems people and vendors for next generation systems that build on the relationships and identifying characteristics of well-formed metadata arising from use of the RDA.

The paper aims to investigate issues surrounding publishing thesauri as linked data and explores a systematic way for publishing linked open thesauri

Based on the four principles of linked data, a novel approach is proposed to incorporate terminology services with thesauri and provide more descriptive information about thesauri and relating services. A proof-of-concept system was built for demonstrating the approach.

Carefully designed URIs and terminology services are necessary for publishing linked open thesauri. However, there is still a lack of standards for describing linked open thesauri and terminology services. Since it is possible to publish thesauri at the hands of creators and maintainers, distributed thesauri may be a good complement to the traditional registry approach.

Only a simple knowledge organisation system (SKOS) core model is considered in the paper. There may be some adjustment for applying the findings to thesauri using the SKOS extended model and other models.

The paper proposes a more systematic way for publishing linked open thesauri. It is important to consider a linked open thesaurus as a dynamic system rather than a static data dump. In addition, functionality for using thesauri is equally important for publishing thesauri.

Purpose – Integrating a gender perspective with a world-system theory, we examine how the recent global economic crisis in China has differential impact on female and male migrant workers. We analyzes how this gendered impact is compounded by intersectionality that results in multiple inequalities shaping their work, identity, power relationship, agency, and family lives.

Method – Our analyses were primarily drawn from 14 surveys of major provinces with higher migration rates, and were supplemented by personal narratives and interviews of migrant workers.

Findings – The political-economic analysis of the world-system demonstrates how the intricate linkages among declines in trade, finance, and production led to the economic crisis in China, with more detrimental effects on women migrant workers than their male counterparts. The intersectionality of gender, class, age/generation, and regional differences has played out in the state-regulated process of migration, configuring and reconfiguring the organization of capital, labor, and production and determining unequal gender relations, class dynamics, citizenship, employment, and family life. Conditioned by complex inequalities, some affected migrant workers, far from being victimized, have demonstrated agency, resilience, and a spirit of resistance.

Research and practical implications – More disaggregated data by gender are needed to understand the full range of differential crisis effects on diverse women and men workers.

Originality/value of the study – This study suggests the importance of considering gender-sensitive policies and a gender mainstreaming approach to addressing gender inequality and improving migrant workers’ lives for their empowerment.