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The data-fusion techniques have been investigated by many researchers and have been used in implementing several information retrieval systems. Fusion allows leveraging of the component systems in several ways by exploiting a number of effects, amongst them an effect called "Chorus effect"; this effect suggest that for a particular document if it is retrieved by two systems; it will be "better" than another document retrieved by only one system, and if it is retrieved by three systems it will be "better" than another document retrieved by one or two systems, and so on. "Better" means the document has higher probability to be relevant. We suggest including a new simple but effective rule called "fairness rule" within well known data-fusion algorithm called CombMNZ to allow this algorithm from leveraging the component systems in an effective way, this rule is the first attempt in the literature to manipulate the normalized score values for documents under certain circumstances to maximize the CombMNZ ability to benefit from the "chorus effect" without sacrificing its ability to benefit from another effect called "skimming effect", skimming effect; suggests that relevant documents are most likely to occur on the top of the retrieved list for any retrieval system. Our results show an improvement in the mean average precision (MAP) values over the traditional CombMNZ when we used our "fairness rule", the improvement for TREC3 groups ranged from 0.66% to 2.88%, and for TREC5 ranged from 0.2% to3.7%

The enormous amount of data which is distributed on the World Wide Web can be very useful if the users became able to get these data in an easy and appropriate method, search engines help the users to find what they need from this enormous amount of data. Meta-search is the application of data fusion to document retrieval, Metasearch engine takes as an input the N ranked lists output by each of N search engines in response to a given query, As output, it computes a single ranked list, which is hopefully an improvement over any input list as measured by standard information retrieval performance metrics such as the mean average precision (MAP). Our goal in this paper is to answer the following question, what are the factors affecting the performance of Data fusion algorithms? The reason behind introducing those factors is the absence of a single source in the literature able to present all those factors in an organized and complete manner. This work is needed to integrate all data fusion performance research findings. This paper contributes to the data fusion literature by two things, firstly; it will deliver all factors affecting the performance of data fusion algorithms in an organized and complete manner. Secondly; it will deliver recommendations which are related to how and when to deal with the factors that affect the performance.

Background: Forces applied to the repaired flexor tendon should not exceed its yield force during early postoperative rehabilitation to prevent gapping and rupture. We aimed to biomechanically compare the tensile strengths and the 2-mm gapping of 4 different 4-strand core suturing techniques for flexor tendon repair. Methods: Fifty-six goat deep digital flexor tendons were repaired with the 4-strand double-modified Kessler, the 4-strand augmented Becker, the 4-strand Savage, and the 4-strand modified Tang techniques. All tendons were repaired with 4-0 polyester for core suture and 5-0 polyester for continuous epitendinous running suture. The specimens were subjected to static linear tensile testing by applying a single linear load-to-failure pull. After the linear load testing, the yield load, the ultimate strength of the repaired tendons, and the force exerted to yield a 2-mm gap were measured. Results: All peripheral sutures ruptured near the yield point. All core suture techniques were similar regarding the yield force. The augmented Becker 4-strand technique had the greatest ultimate strength (98.7 [82-125.3] N). The modified double Kessler technique was the weakest in resisting a 2-mm gap formation. The 4-strand modified Tang repair had the shortest (11.3 [7-15] minutes), while the 4-strand augmented Becker had the longest operative time (29 [23-33] minutes). Conclusions: All 4 techniques demonstrated similar yield force, with differences in operative time, ultimate strength, and resistance to gapping. Future clinical studies can further elucidate their appropriateness for early active motion protocols.

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