The Scout Report -- Volume 16, Number 26

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/resources/reports/world-social-science-report/

Where are people most likely to study the social sciences? Where are most of the academic publications in social sciences based? These are but a few of the questions asked (and answered) within the pages of the World Social Sciences Report 2010. The report was compiled by a blue-ribbon panel of social science experts. Interestingly, this report was a follow-up to the World Social Science Report published in 1999. The report has a number of positive findings, including the observation that the social sciences are "taught almost everywhere and their research results are widely disseminated, increasingly by new information technologies." The full report is 444-pages, and it includes chapters on the fragmentation of knowledge, the divide between academic disciplines, and the "sometimes tense relations between academics and society." For those who might be pressed for time, there is also a 28-page executive summary available here. [KMG]

http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/

Harvard's Science and Engineering Department website has much to offer, and even non-science and engineering folks will find a great deal to enjoy here. Visitors interested in the work being done to understand and hopefully cure cancer, will want to check out the "Breaking News" on the homepage. Articles such as "Using nanotechnology to improve a cancer treatment" and "New treatment extends life of melanoma patients by an average of four months in large clinical trial" can be read in full by clicking on the "full story" link at the end of each article's description on the homepage. A section called "In the Field" contains reports of Harvard students and professors working off campus. One of the more recent articles is entitled "I thought a bomb went off", and it is about a Harvard Medical School assistant professor who was in Haiti when the devastating January earthquake struck. Click on the photo next to the full story to see a makeshift clinic for 45,000 people. The doctor relays her feeling of helplessness when she was without supplies, without trained help, and the sheer number of injured. She resorted to using first aid kits from cars and cleverly used license plates she ripped off of cars to use as splints. [KMG]

To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at http://amser.org.

http://www.algae.uconn.edu/

The University of Connecticut has a tremendous collection of algae from the Long Island Sound, and back in 2001 they went ahead and photographed the original herbarium sheets featuring the preserved algae specimens. The archive is quite comprehensive, as it features all of the benthic marine macroalgal species in the Long Island Sound. All told, there are over 299 images here, and visitors are encouraged to peruse the collection by phylum, family, or name. The site also contains a list of definitions, a regional map, and information about the team that worked to make this collection a possibility. [KMG]

To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at http://amser.org.

http://library.duke.edu/specialcollections/collections/digitized/african-american-women/

The Duke University Libraries has had a long-standing reputation for their digitization projects, and this collection is certainly one of their best. This particular segment of their work focuses on the lives of African-American women, and it contains the full-text memories of Elizabeth Johnson Harris, slave letters from Hannah Valentine, and a rather unusual stand-alone letter from Vilet Lester. Hannah Valentine was born in 1867 to former slaves, and visitors can read her 85-page handwritten memoir here. In her memoir, she talks about the importance of religion in her life, and there are also a few poems by her as well. The letters from Hannah Valentine, a house slave, reveal a rare firsthand glimpse into the lives of slaves in Virginia. Finally, the very unique letter from Vilet Lester offers just a slight, but revealing glimpse, into her life in Bullock County, Georgia in 1857. [KMG]

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/RealEstate/

The University of Wisconsin has had a program in real estate for decades, and many of their faculty members have conducted important research in the field both within Wisconsin and across the country. This digital collection from the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections group brings together the research, teaching materials, and commercial work of noted professors from the program. The core texts here include feasibility studies and planning documents from the late Professor James Graaskamp. In this section visitors can review the complete development plans from around the state of Wisconsin, with a special focus on properties in and around Madison. Visitors can also browse the collection by title, as well as perform detailed searches. [KMG]

http://video.pbs.org/video/1150618835/program/979359664

With its interesting movements and sometimes bizarre appearance, the cuttlefish is one of the most fascinating creatures in the sea. This recent documentary from NOVA explores the world of the cuttlefish and its behaviors. On the homepage, visitors can watch the 53-minute film in its entirety. There are many extra features on the site, including a teacher's guide, a transcript, and a set of external links and related readings. There are four additional sections, including "Anatomy of a Cuttlefish" and "Mating Trickery". In the "Mating Trickery" section, visitors can view a slide show of how cuttlefish mate, along with comparisons from the rest of the animal world, including fish and reptiles. Additionally, the "Anatomy of a Cuttlefish" area explores some of the animal's more unusual features, such as its blue-green blood and its three hearts. [KMG]

To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at http://amser.org.

http://www.wfmhafricainitiative.org/

The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) Africa Initiative on Mental Health & HIV/AIDS was started in October 2006. The purpose of the Initiative is "to raise awareness about the important relationship between mental health & HIV/AIDS." They also work to provide "effective advocacy" in order to improve services for people living with HIV/AIDS. First-time users will want to start by looking over the "News & Issues" area, and here they can peruse an introductory presentation which outlines the Initiative's main goals. The "NGO Directory" is a great resource for health care professionals and it contains a directory of over 1,000 organizations in Africa that provide or facilitate psychosocial support to people living with HIV/AIDS and caregivers. Visitors should also click on the "Expert Forum" area as well. Here they can read a summary report of a meeting which brought together key leaders from Africa in 2008 to talk about the work of the Initiative. [KMG]

http://www.ishs.org/

With 7,000 members located across the world, the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) is an organization that promotes and encourages research and education in all branches of horticultural science. Some of the materials on their site are only available to dues-paying members, but there are a few free highlights here. First, visitors may want to look over the "Publications" area. Here visitors can look over summaries of the major journals in the field, and also make their way through a set of links to relevant online publications. Also, the "News" area contains important updates from the field of horticulture, and there's also a RSS feed here. Persons already in the field will appreciate the job listings that can be searched in the "Jobs" section. [KMG]

To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at http://amser.org.

http://www.gutenberg.org/

Back in 1971, Michael Hart was given an operator's account with $100 million of computer time in it, courtesy of the operators of the Xerox Sigma V mainframe at the Materials Research Lab at the University of Illinois. He decided to give something back by creating electronic versions of different important documents, such as the Declaration of Independence. Thus, Project Gutenberg was born, and today this online archive contains 32,000 books which can be read online or on a portable device. From the homepage, visitors can perform a simple search, or use the "Bookshelves by topic" or "Top downloads" sections to focus in for some new reading material. Some of the most popular works include "Dracula", "Ulysses", and "The Count of Monte Cristo". Of course, visitors should also check out more obscure gems, like "The Anatomy of Melancholy", by scholar and Oxford fellow Robert Burton. [KMG]

http://www.vam.ac.uk/channel/

The Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum has an online media channel which will fascinate those who are curious about the fascinating world we live in. From interviews with playground architects to conversations with abstract artists, this site has something for just about everyone. First-time users should go ahead and click on the "Most Recent" videos to view short videos on costume exhibits at the museum, the renaissance of rural architecture, and architects like Rintala Eggertsson. On the right hand side of the site, visitors can view brief descriptions of some recent programs, and they can also search the contents of the site. [KMG]

http://hedgelink.org.uk/

This British website focuses on hedges (or hedgerows) in the United Kingdom, which are home to mammals, birds, amphibians, invertebrates, and plant life. Visitors should go to the "About Hedgelink" link to learn that cooperation is needed between farmers, land managers, planners, environmentalists, and local communities to maintain these unique habitats. The "Hedge-ucation" link on the left hand menu offers materials for students and teachers that are suitable for the "countryside and classroom." There is a "Virtual Farm Walk" for children which teaches them about the hedgerows on a farm. Visitors will also want to look at the educational package aimed at 7-11 year olds called "Hedgerows", which can be found in the link "hedgerows homepage" at the bottom of the "Hedge-ucation" link. The link to "Research and Surveys" also offers a great way for visitors to see the many issues surrounding hedgerow conservation, simply by looking at all the titles of the surveys that have been done to support hedgerow research. [KMG]

To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at http://amser.org.

http://www.irc.nl/

The IRC International Water Centre was founded in 1968, and its headquarters is in the Netherlands. Their website's homepage states that the goal of the IRC is "[b]ridging the knowledge gap and joint learning with partners for improved, low-cost water supply, sanitation and hygiene in developing countries." A heartwarming story on the homepage, entitled "India, Jharkhand: with access to the toilet came access to dignity", tells of the increasing access poorer people have to toilets in Jharkhand. However, those people with special needs were not accounted for in the toilet program. A WaterAid worker became aware of a young disabled man's plight and advocated for him at village meetings, thus bringing to light the need for accessibility. The "Themes" link on the left side of any page explains sixteen areas that the IRC and its partners are trying to collect more knowledge about, such as "Local Governance", "Innovative Communication", and "Gender and Equity". [KMG]

http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/

Medical ethics may not get the press that other areas of medicine do, but ethical dilemmas come up in many aspects of healthcare. The Virtual Mentor website is the virtual home of the ethics journal of the American Medical Association. It aims to assist physicians and physicians-in-training in the types of challenges they might encounter in their training and daily practice, and each monthly issue is written around a theme. One of the recent themes includes "Time and Resource Constraints in the Emergency Room". There is a podcast on "The Massachusetts Ban on Ambulance Diversion", and an "Ethics Poll" that allows visitors to give their opinion on emergency room overcrowding, disaster assistance by physicians, and when a test of a patient's decision-making capacity (DMC) is appropriate. The results of the poll can be viewed to see where other stand on these vital issues. There are also sections of the journal that address "Law, Policy and Society", "History, Art and Narrative", and "Educating for Professionalism". [KMG]

To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at http://amser.org.

http://www.helpguide.org/

The mission of the Helpguide website is "to help people understand, prevent, and resolve many of life's challenges." The site was launched in 1999, and the team of experts who write the articles and updates on the site include persons with a psychology background and people working in the field of holistic medicine. On the homepage, visitors will find a list of fifteen different topics, ranging from "Emotional Health" to "Sleep". In each area, visitors can find short articles that provide suggestions on the topics, along with selected web resources for additional information. Moving on, visitors can click on the "Newsletter' to sign up for their electronic newsletter, which covers handling stress, self-injury in young adults, and teen depression, among other topics. [KMG]

http://www.crin.org/

Established in 1995 and based in London, the Children's Rights Information Network (CRIN) uses the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) as their inspiration. Visitors unfamiliar with the reasons for the need for a group that advocates for the rights of children should check out the "Issues" tab. The CRIN Quiz section is a good place for visitors to learn about some of the specifics of children's rights in various countries, such as the "African Committee on the Rights and the Welfare of the Child" from 15/03/2010 and "Child Rights and the United States" from 05/11/2008. There are also quizzes on some specific issues that involve children, such as "Child Slavery" from 28/03/2007 and "Quiz on Children Affected by Armed Conflict" from 24/11/2006. The "Information By Country", which can be accessed on the left hand side of the homepage, features International Law, National Law, and Regional Law related to the country, as well as the "Latest Resources", which include such valuable guides as the "Human Rights Watch: Global Report 2010". [KMG]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/

This website from the BBC and the British Museum takes another important step into moving the museum experience online. People usually go to museums to see historic objects, and that's exactly what A History of the World makes possible, via the web. For example, one week's theme was status symbols, and the object of the day was the David Vases, two Chinese blue-and-white porcelain vessels, named after their most famous owner, Sir Percival David (1892-1964). Visitors can listen to a short program on the vases, episode 64 or read the transcript; view the vases on a timeline of history; and view a set of images of the vases from all angles. Because the site is operating in the era of online communities, not only is it possible to view 100 objects from the British Museum, but anyone who signs up for the site can also contribute objects as well - see Dolly's wardrobe, a set of paper dolls with costumes, or the typewriter that belonged to author Arthur Ransome. [DS]

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/

Designed as a free alternative to other proprietary software programs, Foxit Reader allows users to view, modify, and print pdf documents. Visitors will find helpful support documents, along with the ability to mark-up text, replace text, and also insert images and drawings. This version is compatible with computers running Windows XP, Vista, and 7. [KMG]

http://www.picnik.com/

Unlike other photo software editing packages, Picnik 2.3 doesn't need to be downloaded onto one's computer. Visitors can just open their photos via the site, and they can go ahead and crop, resize, and modify them to their heart's content. Also, visitors are welcome to use a number of popular hosting services via their site, including Flickr and PhotoBucket. This version is compatible with all operating systems. [KMG]

How to Succeed in Showbiz: The Frank Loesser Story
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128115247

Loesser deserves more
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/weiss/2430524,frank-loesser-tribute-062710.article

Frank Loesser at 100
http://www.artsjournal.com/jazzbeyondjazz/2010/06/frank_loesser_at_100.html

Broadway: Frank Loesser
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/stars/loesser_f.html

IBDB: Frank Loesser
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=5613

Frank Loesser
http://frankloesser.com/

Tin Pan Alley has seen its share of memorable songwriters, and one only think of such individuals as Alan Jay Lerner, Cole Porter, and Jerome Kern to channel the infectious spirit and tunesmithery of Broadway. This week, a number of organizations are paying tribute to Frank Loesser, who would have been 100 on June 29. Over the course of his lifetime, Loesser penned some of Broadway's most enduring musicals, including "Guys and Dolls", and hundreds of different songs, including "Baby, It's Cold Outside". Loesser took his time getting into the world of Broadway, as he held a series of odd jobs before his luck finally took a turn for the better when fellow composer Burton Lane went to the front office of Paramount pictures (where Loesser was working) and said "You've got to hear this lyric writer. This guy's great." Loesser had a number of successes on Broadway throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and in 1961 he won the Pulitzer Prize for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". There's been renewed interest in that show lately, as it will return to Broadway next season starring Daniel Radcliffe of "Harry Potter" film fame. [KMG]

The first link leads to a profile of Loesser from a recent episode of NPR's "All Things Considered". The second link will take interested parties to a thoughtful appreciation of Loesser's work by Hedy Weiss, the theater critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. Moving on, the third link whisks users away to an excellent post from the "Jazz Beyond Jazz" website about the life and times of Frank Loesser. The post is full of fun surprises, including a link to Ray Bolger singing the Loesser tune "Once in Love With Amy" from the show "Where's Charley?" The fourth link leads to a biographical profile of Loesser, provided courtesy of the PBS program "Broadway: The American Musical". The fifth link leads to Loesser's data page from the Internet Broadway Musical Database (IBDB). The sixth and final link leads to the official Frank Loesser homepage. Here visitors can learn about upcoming productions of his work, along with upcoming performances featuring his songs and such.