Five New Open Books from the National Academies Press
1. Effectiveness and Impact of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309076013/html/
2. Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does Sex Matter?
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309072816/html/
3. Multiple Sclerosis: Current Status and Strategies for the Future
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309072859/html/index.html
4. Crossing the Quality Chasm
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309072808/html/
5. Growing Populations, Changing Landscapes: Studies from India,
China, and the United States
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309075548/html/
Several new and forthcoming books published by the National Academies Press (NAP) can now be read online through NAP's OpenBook feature, that allows readers to view full text of books (.html). The first listed here, "Effectiveness and Impact of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards", is an unedited pre-print. It gives the results of a the National Academies Transportation Research Board's recent investigation into the impacts of the CAFE program, which was passed in 1975 in response to oil shortages and required that auto manufacturers increase the sales-weighted average fuel economy for passenger cars and light-duty trucks.
The next publication available in OpenBook format is " Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does Sex Matter?". It comes from the National Academies Institute of Medicine's Committee on Understanding the Biology of Sex and Gender Differences. Investigating the striking differences in human health and illness among genders, the authors suggest that sex should be taken into account when designing and analyzing biomedical studies. "Multiple Sclerosis: Current Status and Strategies for the Future", from National Academies Institute of Medicine's Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (MS), deals with clinical and biological features of MS, suggests future research directions and therapies. The appendices list, among other things, drugs used in treatment, the US Social Security Administration's criteria for qualifying as disabled from MS, and list current experts on the disease.
The authors of the fourth publication, "Crossing the Quality Chasm", assert that many patients, doctors, nurses and health care workers are concerned that healthcare delivered is not the care we should be receiving, and frustration levels of patients and clinicians have probably never been higher. Suggestions for improving the situation are presented.
Finally, the fifth text, "Growing Populations, Changing Landscapes: Studies from India, China, and the United States", uses case studies to look at population growth and land-use change through time and space. This comes from a joint project between the US, Chinese and Indian Academies of Science. The NAP notes that "the Open Book page image presentation framework is not designed to replace printed books, nor emulate HTML. Rather, it is a free, browsable, nonproprietary, fully and deeply searchable version of the publication which we can inexpensively and quickly produce to make the material available worldwide." Files can be printed from the OpenBook page's tool block or the linked .pdf version. [HCS]
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Probation and Parole in the United States, 2000 [.pdf,.zip]
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ppus00.htm
The US Bureau of Justice Statistics has recently made available online this report on the number of persons on probation and parole during 2000 and provides comparisons with years 1998 and 1999. The six page, .pdf-formatted report lists the number of parolees and probationers in each state, describes the race and sex makeup of these populations and reports the data as percentages as well as numbers. The data can be viewed in the .pdf report's tables or can be downloaded as a spreadsheet (.zip). [HCS]
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The Diary, Correspondence, and Papers of Robert "King" Carter of Virginia
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/users/berkeley/
In 18th century Virginia, Robert "King" Carter owned over 300,000 acres containing many farms and plantations as well as some 1,000 slaves to work those plantations. He was a member of the Council of Virginia and was acting governor of the state for a time. He received a classical education in England, and corresponded widely both within the colony and with merchants overseas. His correspondence was transcribed and digitized by Edmund Berkeley, Jr., former director of special collections at the University of Virginia Library, and put online by the staff at UVA's Electronic Text center. Users can read and search the transcribed texts (in either original or modernized spelling) as well as read a brief biography of Carter and notes on people and places frequently cited in the text letters and diaries. The letters run from 1702-1720 and the diaries are from 1722-1723. [HCS]
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Impact of the Internet on Learning & Teaching
http://UBMAIL.ubalt.edu/~harsham/interactive.htm
Created by Dr. Hossein Arsham, The Wright Distinguished Research Professor in Management Science and Statistics at the University of Baltimore, this site reveals insights gained by Arsham and colleagues from their experiences teaching in the first accredited all on-line MBA program at the University of Baltimore. "The site covers how to begin, how to operate, and how to make e-learning successful and enjoyable." Easy to use and navigate, the site offers information of both a practical and philosophical nature. Also included are a set of recommended web sites and references. Although originally launched in 1995, this site has been updated often and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in online learning and teaching. [REB]
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Two New from the USGS [.pdf, ARC/Info, STDS]
Geologic Assessment of Coal in the Colorado Plateau: Arizona, New
Mexico, and Utah
http://greenwood.cr.usgs.gov/energy/coal/PP1625B/
Seismic Hazards Maps of Hawaii
http://greenwood.cr.usgs.gov/pub/i-maps/i-2724/
Two new publications from the US Geological Survey (USGS) were posted this month. The first, from the Central Region Energy Resources Team, has an executive summary and 20 chapters on coal resources for the Colorado Plateau available for download in .pdf format. A link to digital map data and the stratigraphic database is at the end of the report. The Kaparowitz Plateau, San Juan Basin, and Henry Mountains are a few of the areas covered in the report. Also from the USGS, new probablistic seismic hazard maps for Hawaii are now accessible online. The eight different digital geospatial data sets can be downloaded as ARC/Info, STDS and Metadata files and the maps are in .pdf format. [HCS]
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Binge Drinking: Community Problem, Community Solution
http://www.stopcollegebingeing.com/
As college students are returning to campuses, their parents are concerned over the risks of binge drinking, which is particularly high among the college-aged set. In a national survey released this week by the American Medical Association (AMA), 95% of parents believe that binge drinking is a serious threat to their children, and 85% say that easy access to alcohol contributes to too much drinking. Visitors to the "Binge Drinking: Community Problem, Community Solution" Website can not only read the results of the AMA poll results and associated graphics but also read about prevention strategies employed by colleges and communities and learn about the people spearheading the prevention movement. Other features of the site are a FAQ list and advisory for parents concerned about binge drinking among college students. The easiest way to download the poll results is to go to the site's downloads page where you can choose from .pdf, .zip or .sit formats. [HCS]
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Two for Kids from the EPA:
What's Up with Our Nation's Waters?
http://www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/nationswaters/
Air Quality Index for Kids
http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqikids/
The US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Website provides many educational resources for K-12 teachers. A recently posted one is the "What's Up With Our Nation's Water?" page, looking at how water quality is measured, what toxins are found in drinking water, and defining wetlands and groundwater. Highlights include a "What can I do?" section and suggested science projects. Colorful artwork by young people accompanies the text. Another new resource from the EPA is the Air Quality Index for Kids. The colorful, extremely basic text defines the Air Quality Index (AQI), discusses what makes air dirty and which people are most at risk for getting sick from air pollution. This site, probably best suited for elementary schoolers, is arranged so that "next" buttons turn the virtual pages, taking young readers through each lesson. The site also furnishes a dictionary, "What can I do?" section and games. [HCS]
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Gramofile
http://www.gramophone.co.uk/reviews/default.asp
Gramofile is a rich database of over 250,000 classical music reviews from the magazine Gramophone. Users can search by composer, orchestra, title, conductor, record label, catalogue number, reviewer, or keyword and view results sorted by date. The layout of the results page, divided into a series of frames, can be a little confusing at first but does not detract from the content. This is a great new resource for classical music aficionados. [HCS]
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Human Genome Symposium Webcast
http://www.genomesymposium.ucsc.edu/webcast.html
A live webcast of the public forum, held in conjunction with the University of California - Santa Cruz Human Genome Symposium 2001, was transmitted from Santa Cruz on August 25, 2001. The entire Webcast can be viewed in a variety of formats (RealMedia, Windows Media, QuickTime, Cisco IP/TV, MacTV, or MIM). The purpose of the forum, which included experts in human genetics and biomedical research, was to discuss research on the human genome and its implications for the future of medicine and society. [HCS]
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The Roanoke Island Freedmen's Colony [.pdf]
http://www.roanokefreedmenscolony.com/
During the Civil War, Roanoke Island, located between the coast of North Carolina and the Outer Banks, became a refuge for escaped slaves, called contrabands or freedmen. This site, created by University of Virginia professor Patricia C. Click presents an account of the history and selected documents and maps of the Roanoke Island Freedmens Colony, as the community was known. Documents include letters from Superintendent of the Colony, Horace James, a minister and abolitionist from Massachusetts, and letters from Freedmen themselves. The documents have been transcribed and are in .pdf format, so users should not expect to see scanned versions of 19th century originals. The projects section includes seven projects for high school and college students, using historical materials at the site, and from other related Web sites. Professor Click has written a book, Time Full of Trial: The Roanoke Island Freedmens Colony, 1862-1867, and the Preview section contains the table of contents and Chapter One. Links in the site refer to this book for more information; in the Maps section users are referred to its online ordering instructions for more information on the layout of the colony. [DS]
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AECportico: Your Guide to Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
http://www.aecportico.co.uk/
This meta-site from NBS Services of the Royal Institute of British Architects offers a wide array of WWW subject guides on the literature, materials, drafting, design, construction, and upkeep of the built environment. Emphasis here is on practical resources for the UK and European markets, but anyone interested will find plenty in this well designed and maintained site. Other features include UK Construction News, Site of the Week, and Book of the Week. [DJS]
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Zimbabwe's Resource Colonialism in the DRC
http://www.oneworld.org/globalwitness/press/bd_zimbabwe.htm
This latest online document from Global Witness, a non-sectarian organization committed to exposing "areas where natural resources and environmentally destructive trade is funding conflict or human rights violations", covers Zimbabwe's questionable timber affiliations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Global Witness' research has revealed that a joint venture between Zimbabwean military controlled OSLEG (Operation Sovereign Legitimacy) and Kinshasa based company Comiex plan to remove timber from 33 million hectares -that's ten times the size of Switzerland - of forests in the DRC . Global Witness asserts that "any natural resource exploitation by warring factions, especially foreign-backed ones, will seriously delay,if not completely derail the potential for lasting peace and stability in DRC," which has seen 2.5 million people die during its occupation by Zimbawean militia. This report urges the United Nations Security Council to take strong action to prevent the Zimbabwean deal going ahead. Although it is far from objective, this text contains information that might be useful to those in the field of political science. [HCS]
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Food Safety Month [.pdf]
http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/fs-mon01.html
Did you know that September is Food Safety Month? To find out more about it, visit this Website from the US Food and Drug Administration, where you can take the 'Fridge Quiz, learn about the "thaw law" and download the cold storage chart (.pdf). Although the site is intended primarily for food science educators, it contains factsheets, games and activities that might be of interest to general audiences. For instance, did you know that non-dairy whipped topping is safe in the refrigerator for 3 months?! Heaps of graphics and brochures for educators can be downloaded from .pdf files. [HCS]
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Internet Explorer 6
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/
IE6 Overview
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/01/30/index3a.html
Microsoft has released Internet Explorer 6 (IE6), claiming that it "sets a new standard in privacy, reliability, and flexibility." Some of the new features include full XML and XHTML support, an integrated media player, and a fancy new privacy feature called Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P), with which users can specify how their personal information is used. The somewhat controversial new links feature called "smart tags" can be downloaded separately. Check out IE6 for yourself at their Website or perhaps first read the review, listed above, from Lycos' Webmonkey newsletter. [HCS]
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Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Working Draft
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/
Dated August 24, 2001, this online working draft of Web content accessibility guidelines comes from the World Wide Web Consortium (WC3). The aim of this accessibility project is to make Web more navigable to people with disabilities. The first draft of the guidelines was published in 1999 (mentioned in the May 7, 1999 Scout Report). This newer version incorporates reader feedback, covers a wider range of technologies and uses wording that may be understood by a more varied audience. Four guidelines, each containing several "checkpoints," an introduction and glossary are included. A hypertext Table of Contents takes readers to desired sections. [HCS]
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BoardReader
http://www.boardreader.com/
This nifty new search engine will comb the Web's forums and message boards more efficiently than other searchers. BoardReader was founded by engineers and students from the University of Michigan. [HCS]
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Gobi Desert Fossil Leads to New Interpretation of Ostrich-like Dinosaur
A Duck's Bill + an Ostrich's Legs = a Dinosaur - NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/30/science/30DINO.html
Dinosaur Beak Probably Used to Strain Food, Not Kill Prey
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/08/0829_dinobeak.html
New Fossils Reveal How Dinos Ate
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/reu/20010827/dinobeak.html
A Dinosaur Discovery [RealPlayer]
http://www.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2001/aug/dinosaursbeak/010829.dinosaursbeak.html
Giant Dino Duck Was Filter Feeder
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/template.cfm?name=Quack
Dino Detectives: Dr. Mark Norell
http://kids.discovery.com/amnh/kids/norell.html
Palaeontology: The beaks of ostrich dinosaurs
http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v412/n6850/abs/412873b0_fs.html
A team of paleontologists working in Cretaceous-aged rocks of the Gobi Desert have unearthed a dinosaur fossil containing a comb-like plate very similar to the filter-feeding structure in a duck's bill. An article by Norell, Makovicky and Currie, published in this week's Nature, describes the finding. The dinosaur, Gallimimus, was a fast-running, largish, beaked creature closely related to meat-eating predators such as Tyrannousaurus. This new fossil finding indicates that Gallimimis might have eaten by straining tiny invertebrates such as brine shrimp from water and sediments through the filter structure in its beak. This find is unusual because scientists had not expected to see filter-feeding behavior in such large terrestrial dinosaurs.
Recommended news articles on this spectacular fossil are those from the Websites of the NY Times (free registration required), National Geographic, and Discovery. National Public Radio's (NPR's) Website offers a small image gallery of the fossil and an audio of the report on Gallimimus that aired on NPR (RealPlayer). Another news release comes from the Geological Society of London. An interview with lead author Dr. Norell is found at Dino Detectives (geared toward kids). For more on dinosaurs in general, head to the Natural History Museum of London's Dino Directory (reviewed previously in the February 14, 2001 Scout Report for Science and Engineering)
Subscribers to Nature can read the Norell, et al. article online at Nature.com. [HCS]
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