NSDL Scout Reports for the Life Sciences and Physical Sciences
The second issues of the first volumes of the Life Sciences Report and Physical Sciences Report are now available. The Topic in Depth section of Life Sciences Report annotates eutrophication and algal blooms. The Physical Sciences Report's Topic in Depth section offers interesting links and information about snow.
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Legacy Tobacco Documents Library
http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu./
The University of California, San Francisco Library and the American Legacy Foundation recently released the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library (LTDL), a collection of more than 20 million previously private documents from tobacco industry files. Ranging from approximately the 1950s to recent years, LTDL offers searching, viewing, and downloading of documents, covering projects central to the tobacco industry like marketing, research and development, cigarette analysis and design, as well as industry efforts to establish business in developing countries. Within the next 18 months, more documents will be added to the already extensive collection. Currently, viewers may perform simple or advanced searches; view documents in Adobe Reader format (.pdf) or tagged image file format (.tif); or for a quick look, utilize the page-by-page option to view .gif images within the browser. [MG]
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Mercury Rising: Bearing Witness to Climate Change [Flash 5]
http://www.oneworldjourneys.com/climate/
Embark on a photographic journey with the One World Journeys Team as they trek through the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica from February 1-12 to witness how climate change is affecting the planet. Each day of their journey, the team of seven will update the site with photo images interwoven with sound in order to try and replicate their experiences for their Internet viewers. Photographs can be viewed in highband (which requires the use of Macromedias Flash 5 Player) or lowband. In addition, the site provides special reports to give an overall understanding of the various issues regarding climate change. Lessons and activities for students are available, and teachers have the opportunity to receive continuing education credits. [MG]
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Westward by Sea: A Maritime Perspective on American Expansion, 1820-1890
http://memory.loc.gov:8081/ammem/award99/mymhihtml/mymhihome.html
This online research compilation is a part of the Library of Congresss American Memory collection and presents pictorial and textual materials illustrating major themes in the history of maritime westward expansion. Some of these themes include the California Gold Rush, the roles of women, the immigrant experience, whaling life, life at sea, shipping, and native populations. Covering a wide geographical area including California, Texas, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest, the materials are drawn from the Mystic Seaport Museum and the G.W. Blunt White Library. The collection is comprised of ships' logbooks and secondary sources, such as nineteenth-century published narratives of voyages and travels, photographs, paintings, maps, and nautical charts. This collection provides "a rich look at the events, culture, beliefs, and personal experiences associated with westward expansion from the maritime perspective." The site can be searched by keyword or browsed by subject, name, or title. [MG]
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National Academy Press: Scientific and Medical Aspects of Human Reproductive Cloning
http://books.nap.edu/books/0309076374/html/index.html
A pre-publication version of a human cloning report to be published by the National Academy Press (NAP), Scientific and Medical Aspects of Human Reproductive Cloning concludes that human reproductive cloning, as it could be currently practiced, should be banned. The report's panel is jointly composed of the National Academies Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (COSEPUP) and the National Research Council Board on Life Sciences (BLS). Five years removed from original discussions about the bioethical implications of Dolly the sheep, the panel assesses human reproductive cloning in light of scientific advances since then. Legal, medical, and scientific literature informed the panel, as well as testimony of experts that both support and defend a ban on human cloning. The report is an Open Book presentation, a non-proprietary, fully searchable Web-based platform that makes browsing the report quite easy. The report is also available for .pdf download. Any user interested in the bioethics of human cloning should visit this site. [TS]
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Chemical Diversion and Synthetic Drug Manufacture Report
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/intel/intel010621.html
The Chemical Diversion and Synthetic Drug Manufacture Report traces the production, dispersal, and consumption routes of illegal synthetic drugs manufactured through the acquisition of legal "precursor" chemicals and compounds. The principal focus of the study is tracking efforts put in place by local, national, and international law enforcement agencies. Other highlights of the report outline international treaties signed by the US and other countries, as well as the success of such treaties and their impact on those involved in illegal drug production and distribution. Written from the US perspective, the report focuses principally on drug routes leading to rather than from the United States. Another interesting aspect of the report is its historical presentation of the major synthetic drugs prevalent today and their most common consumption venues and markets. [WH]
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Three on the National Science Digital Library
A Spectrum of Interoperability: The Site for Science Prototype for the NSDL
http://www.dlib.org/dlib/january02/arms/01arms.html
Components of an NSDL Architecture: Technical Scope and Functional Model [.pdf]
http://www.arxiv.org/abs/cs.DL/0201027
Core Services in the Architecture of the National Digital Library for
Science Education (NSDL) [.pdf]
http://arxiv.org/abs/cs.DL/0201025
The National Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Education
Digital Library (NSDL) is the National Science Foundation's (NSF) ongoing
effort to build a comprehensive science digital library. These three
articles collectively describe the philosophical and pragmatic approach of
the Core Integration team. The solutions address the issues of economic
cost, extensibility, and interoperability for a project with ambitious
five-year targets (1 million users, 10 million digital objects, and ten
thousand to one hundred thousand collections). In the first article
(published in January 2002 D-Lib Magazine) the Cornell University team lead
by William Arms describes the preliminary work done to develop a working
model for NSDL. The second resource authored by David Fulker and Greg Jane
(published in January 2002 arXiv Report) outlines the technical
architecture for NSDL and defines the "technical scope and a functional
model." Published in the same issue of arXiv Report, the third resource by
Carl Lagoze et al. describes the interoperability structure for this
initial stage of NSDL's development. Issues of heterogenous metadata
management in a central repository, search and discovery services, rights
management, and user interface are all addressed. These three articles are
required reading for anyone interested in the future of digital libraries
and cooperative efforts to harness the educational power of the Web. Note:
For information on the Internet Scout Project's involvement in NSDL, see
http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/nsdl-reports/.[DJS]
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American History and Art from New England
http://www.memorialhall.mass.edu/
Students, teachers, and just about anyone with an interest in American history will find helpful resources at the Memorial Hall Museum Online, a village museum of 300-year-old Deerfield, Massachusetts. Features of the site include: the Digital Collection, a searchable database of over 1,000 artifacts selected from 70,000 in the Museum's holdings; In the Classroom, a collection of curriculum ideas for teachers; and the Turns of the Centuries exhibit. This exhibit presents images and artifacts on five broad themes: Family Life, Native American Indians, African Americans, Newcomers, and The Land. The exhibits span across three eras -- 1680-1720, 1780-1820, and 1880-1920. For example, in The Land 1880-1920, view a collection of posters and publicity from the agricultural fairs and expositions popular at that time. Photographs by Frances and Mary Allen are used as illustrations throughout the site. These photographs, produced between 1885 and 1920, are often romanticized visions of colonial times in New England but are nonetheless significant examples of Pictorial style photography. There is also an Activities section, with Scavenger Hunt, Dress Up, Make a Chronology, and a Tailor Your Visit pages. The latter suggests resources for teachers, researchers, and K-12 students. [DS]
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BRENDA: The Comprehensive Enzyme Information System
http://www.brenda.uni-koeln.de/
BRENDA is a comprehensive database of enzymes maintained by the Institute of Biochemistry at the University of Cologne. Scientists collect and evaluate enzyme function data from primary literature sources. The site has recently been updated with new enzymes and an entirely new search engine. Various searches can be performed, including enzyme name, organism, or EC number. Links to literature citations, two dimensional images, and other databases are included for many of the enzymes. Academic and nonprofit use is free; commercial users must acquire a license. [AL]
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National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
http://www.undergroundrailroad.org/
Before 1863, the Underground Railroad was a system of cooperation among Black slaves, abolitionists, sympathetic Whites, and Native Americans to help slaves escape the bondage of American slavery. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center wants to educate the public about the legacy of the Underground Railroad and its historic struggle to abolish human enslavement. The Freedom Center is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in Cincinnati, Ohio during the summer of 2004. The Freedom Center is sponsored by the Federated Department Stores Foundation and has the mission of teaching lessons of courage and cooperation from Underground Railroad history in order to "promote collaborative learning, dialogue, and action to inspire todays freedom movements." Exhibits will include history galleries on pre-slavery African Kingdoms and post-slavery freedom movements in North America, Poland, South Africa, India, and more. The Centers site currently contains a timeline dating from 1501 - 1865, a list of major players and contributors of the Underground Railroad Movement along with brief descriptions, and a list of related resources on each individual. The site also contains family stories and links to other related history sites. For those interested in the history and legacy of the Underground Railroad, this is definitely a Web site to explore and bookmark. [MG]
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Office of Management and Budget: Budget of the United States Government [.pdf]
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2003/index.html
A drastically different budget for radically different times, the 2003 Budget of the United States Government is entirely the product of the era in which it was presented. Thus, from start to finish, the document reflects the change in the political geography of the United States and its place in the new world order. Particularly nice about the Office of Management and Budget site are the highlighted features, which call attention to major shifts in governmental expenditures, such as the current war against terrorism and protecting the homeland, as well as the thinking that went into their distribution. The site also features the full text of the Budget Message of the President and direct links to all of the budget elements, including separate links to each governmental office or department and its budgetary allotments and projections. Aside from the budget for the year to come, the site also analyses the budget in historical context. [WH]
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Reauthorization Roundup
http://www.welfareinfo.org/roundup.htm
Reauthorization Roundup is a biweekly publication from the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) that focuses on the activities surrounding the reauthorization of human service programs such as child care, child support, child welfare, health, food stamp programs, and information technology. Viewers can access each publication separately by date. [MG]
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Data Development Initiatives for Research on Food Assistance and Nutrition Programs, Phase I: Ten Potential Data Initiatives [.pdf]
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/efan01010/
The Department of Agricultures Economic Research Service report on Data Development Initiatives issues the findings of a study commissioned to establish and/or improve methods of data collection used to assess the effectiveness of government-sponsored food assistance programs like the Food Stamp and WIC programs (among others). To read the report, one immediately appreciates the explosion of methods for data collection, or "mining," and the ways they can be marshaled to ensure that public resources are allocated appropriately and efficiently to intended recipients. Resources considered by the study are an array of new technologies (e.g., GIS and POS monitors) and older ones that could be linked to already existing databases of food assistance recipients (e.g., linking WIC and food stamp databases to Medicaid and vital statistics logs to ensure benefits remain in the hands of their intended recipients). [WH]
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Finfacts Worldwide Cost of Living Survey 2001
http://www.finfacts.com/costofliving.htm
Both interesting and informative, Finfacts Worldwide Cost of Living Survey for 2001 compares prices of more than 200 items in 144 cities across the globe. Using New York City, which ranked tenth in 2001, as an absolute (at 100%), the survey compares relative costs of living in major metropolitan areas worldwide, particularly in major financial and commercial hubs. Ranking first, second, and third respectively, Tokyo, Moscow, and Hong Kong enjoy placement at the top of the list. Given the current state of the economy, it is nice to see that there are actually many places where a cup of coffee is a lot more expensive than it is here. [WH]
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Two from abebooks.com
abebooks.com
http://www.abebooks.com
abelibrary.com: The Source for Savvy Librarians
http://www.abelibrary.com/
A commercial network of nearly 9000 independent booksellers, abebooks.com is an excellent source for those users looking for out-of-print, rare, or used books. With a database that offers over 30 million books, the site provides advanced search capabilities, full e-commerce options, and a user-friendly interface. Also of note, the site recently extended into the international marketplace, purchasing JustBooks and, in the process, adding not only French and German books to their network's inventory but also language-specific customer service and purchasing options for French and German customers. Librarians should also take special interest in the second site -- a service tailored specifically to the needs of librarians (requires free registration). Both sites facilitate the sometimes difficult process of locating hard-to-find books. [TS]
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Reading a-z: A Complete Online Reading Program
http://www.readinga-z.com/
A project of LearningPage.com, Reading a-z provides educators with over 150 downloadable guided reading books to help children become more proficient readers. The site also contains over 212 lessons plans, over 500 worksheets, and over 200 flash cards to help teach alphabetic principle, phonemic awareness, and sound/symbol relationships. Although there is an annual subscription fee, viewers currently have free access to 28 sample books, along with their accompanying worksheets and lesson plans. Elementary teachers, home schoolers, and parents may find this site useful. [MG]
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FontAgent 8.7.1 [Mac OS]
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10241-100-8553482.html?tag=st.dl.10005-104-1.lst-4-12.8553482
FontAgent (formerly known as Font Box) can help eliminate font problems by repairing corrupt, duplicate, and unmatched fonts and creating an organized font library to eliminate font headaches. Published by Insider Software, Inc., this product can build a new organized font library and provide complete font repairs. Click on the above URL to download the free Macintosh demo. The demo will test all your fonts and display the problems; however, in order to have the fonts automatically repaired, viewers will need to purchase the FontAgent software. [MG]
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Aha-soft: ArtIcons
http://www.aha-soft.com/index.htm
ArtIcons 3.16, a product by Aha-soft, allows users to find, create, edit, import, and export icons, as well as manage icon libraries. This product creates and edits icons in standard or custom sizes and in color depths up to 32-bit True Color. ArtIcons 3.16 contains various graphic tools, including enhanced gradient and chess fill. Users can import icons from image, cursor and library files, and executables. In addition, this product scans files and folders for icons and arranges them into libraries. System requirements include Windows 95/98/ME/2000/NT/XP, 16 MB RAM, Pentium-133 MHz, 2 MB Hard Disk, and True Color video mode. Viewers can freely download this software for evaluation during a trial period without any cost or obligation. However, payment is required for continued use after the end of the trial period. [MG]
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Making Amtrak Profitable
Panel urges 3-way split of Amtrak
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0202080391feb08.story
Amtrak Announces $285 Million in Cuts and Federal Appropriations Request of $1.2 Billion
http://www.amtrak.com/press/atk20020201020.html
Amtrak: Nothing Like It in the World, So Far
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/03/weekinreview/03DEPA.html
US trains benefit from air woes
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1578000/1578855.stm
Time To Liquidate Amtrak
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,44934,00.html
Don't Derail Amtrak
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1002,417%257E383113,00.html
Amtrak Reform Council: Final Restructuring Plan [.pdf]
http://www.amtrakreformcouncil.gov/finalreport.html
Amtrak Response to the Final Report of the Amtrak Reform Council
http://www.amtrak.com/press/atk20020207030.html
Amtrak Annual Reports [.pdf]
http://www.amtrak.com/press/annualrpts.html
Brief History of the US Passenger Rail Industry
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/rails-history.html
Even after ending a five-year span with record revenue growth of nearly 40%, Amtrak lost $1.1 billion during the fiscal year 2001 and could potentially be liquidated at the end of 2002. In the aftermath of September 11th, Amtrak passenger trains have gained customers, most likely from declining US air travel. Even with increased ridership though, Amtrak must face the task posed to it before this year: become self-sufficient. In response to this, working on a deadline of February 7th, the Amtrak Reform Council recently published their recommendations about the fate of Amtrak, proposing that Amtrak's interests should be split between three companies. Central to the debate are profitable railroad routes like the Northeast Corridor, the Boston to Washington train line that yields standing-room only space at times, and unprofitable lines like the California Zephyr, the Chicago-Denver-California route that passes through the scenic Rocky Mountains. With the breakup of Amtrak, unprofitable lines like the California Zephyr could potentially be discontinued. Ultimately, Amtrak, as it has operated since 1971, stands on the brink of many changes.
From the Chicago Tribune, the first article provides an overview of the recommendations of the Amtrak Reform Council. A press release from Amtrak about its federal budget requests is the second entry. The third, a New York Times Week in Review piece, offers not only background on Amtrak's current situation but also insights into rail travel changes outside of the US (requires free registration). The Web page from the BBC offers a non-US view of post-September 11th effects on both air and rail travel. Next, two articles, one from Fox News and the other from the Denver Post online, outline arguments for and against the liquidation of Amtrak. For more information on the Amtrak Reform Council's recommendations, take a look at their final restructuring plan; the full version and a abbreviated document (executive summary only) are available in Adobe Acrobat Reader (.pdf) format. Amtrak annual reports offer in-depth information about the company's financial position, while a press release in response to the Reform Council's plan concludes the offered information from the Amtrak corporate site. The final Web site is a brief history of the US Passenger Rail Industry, a page that provides not only context to the Amtrak debate but also a bibliography of rail industry materials. [TS]
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Below are the copyright statements to be included when reproducing annotations from The Scout Report.
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From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2002. http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/
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Copyright Susan Calcari and the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 1994-2002. The Internet Scout Project (http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/), located in the Computer Sciences Department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides information about the Internet to the U.S. research and education community under a grant from the National Science Foundation, number NCR-9712163. The Government has certain rights in this material. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of the entire Scout Report provided this paragraph, including the copyright notice, are preserved on all copies.
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