The Scout Report for Science & Engineering

April 1, 1998

A Publication of the Internet Scout Project
Computer Sciences Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison

The target audience of the new Scout Report for Science & Engineering is faculty, students, staff, and librarians in the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. Each biweekly issue offers a selective collection of Internet resources covering topics in the sciences, and related fields such as math and engineering, that have been chosen by librarians and content specialists in the given field of study.

The Scout Report for Science & Engineering is also provided via email once every two weeks. Subscription information is included at the bottom of each issue.

Research Current Awareness

Learning Resources New Data

General Interest In the News

Scientist Finds 2-in-1 Burster; Pulsar Goes Off Twice Each Orbit--NASA MSFC
http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast25mar98_1.htm
"Discovery of the 198 s X-ray Pulsar GRO J2058+42"--Preprint Article [.ps]
http://www.batse.msfc.nasa.gov/data/pulsar/pulsar_pubs.html
The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Marshall Space Flight Center recently announced the discovery of GROJ2058+42, an accreting X-ray pulsar with no visible component. The discovery was made by MSFC scientist Colleen Wilson while she was reviewing data obtained from the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE). The data showed that J2058+42 experiences two gamma ray bursts each orbit instead of the typical one burst. A paper describing the discovery will appear in the June 1, 1998 issue of the Astrophysical Journal. A preprint of the article is available in postscript format. [KH]
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EstimateS: Statistical Estimation of Species Richness and Shared Species From Samples
http://viceroy.eeb.uconn.edu/estimates
Dr. Robert K. Colwell, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut, and the creator of "Biota: The Biodiversity Database Manager," provides this site, which contains full descriptions, free software for downloading, and a user's guide to "EstimateS," a statistical application designed for computing species richness (S) from sample data. Recently updated, EstimateS 5.0 "computes randomized species accumulation curves, statistical estimators of true species richness (S), and a statistical estimator of the true number of species shared between pairs of samples, based on species-by-sample (or sample-by-species) incidence or abundance matrices. For comparative purposes, EstimateS 5.0 also computes Fisher's alpha and the Shannon and Simpson diversity indexes for each sample, as well as the Morisita-Horn index of biotic similarity between samples." Information on downloading and using the program is provided at the site. [LXP]
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Magnetic Targeting and Magnetic Carriers--CCF
http://www.ccf.org/cc/radonc/biologists/magmeet/maglit.htm
Created by the Radiation Oncology Department at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, this bibliography focuses on magnetic carriers and their scientific and clinical applications. Papers are listed alphabetically by year. A few paper references date from as far back as the 13th century. No search tool is provided. The bibliography page contains links to the magnetic homepage and other features. [KH]
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Three Journals From Highwire Press
American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology
http://ajrcmb.atsjournals.org/
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/
Genetics
http://www.genetics.org/
HighWire Press
http://highwire.stanford.edu/
The American Thoracic Society, medical section of The American Lung Association, has made two journals available on-line: American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, and American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Both journals include a free, full-access trial period until September 1998. Available issues for both AJRCMB and AJRCCM begin in July 1997. In addition, the Genetics Society of America has announced unrestricted access to the on-line version of Genetics, free until October 1998. Full-text content of Genetics begins with Volume 148, Number 1 (January 1998), and "will expand with each month's new issues." On-line Genetics abstracts begin with Volume 94, Number 2 (February 1980). All three journals are made available through Stanford University's Highwire Press. After the free trial period, full text will only be available via individual or institutional subscription, but access to tables of contents and abstracts will be available to the public. [LXP]
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Chemical Research Communications--FACS ACGC [.pdf, 48p.]
http://ozchemnet.adfa.oz.au/FACS/ACGC/CRComms.html
Chemical Research Communications is a publication produced by the Federation of Asian Chemical Society's Asian Coordinating Group for Chemistry. Volume Six, the first available electronically, contains ten papers on a variety of subject matter related to "original chemical research in Asia." [KH]
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Tree-Ring and Tree-Ring Research Web Pages
http://www.valdosta.edu/~grissino/
Dr. Henri D. Grissino-Mayer, Associate Professor of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences at Valdosta State University, provides this wonderful dendrochronology metasite. Spanning the range from introductory information to research databases, the site has been constructed with special care "to include users of all educational backgrounds." Dr. Grissno-Mayer has provided a resource full of expertise (resources for researchers, job listings, historical information, tree-ring data) but free of jargon. A highlight of the site is the database section which links to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's magnificent Tree-Ring Database, and the University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research's over 6,000 citation Bibliography of Dendochronology, among many others. [LXP]
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Terms of Environment--EPA
http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/
Compiled by the US Environmental Protection Agency, this site is the only place users need go to find an environmental term, abbreviation, or acronym. All items are listed alphabetically. No search tool is provided. [KH]
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An Electronic Atlas of Cape Cod--WHRC
http://www.whrc.org/CCAtlas/CCAtlas.htm
This new site from the Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC) highlights the unique ecological characteristics of Cape Cod -- a coastal peninsula "created thousands of years ago by glaciers, and continuously sculpted since then by the sea, the wind, and now by human influence." The site, a work in progress, contains two main sections at this time: Current Land Use and Land Cover of Cape Cod; and Critical Habitats of Cape Cod. The sections contain photographs of land cover types, a description of species present, and summary information tables. Also included are several excellent large-scale color maps documenting land use change during different time intervals, and statistics on human population growth in the area. Several links to related organizations (including bibliographic information on Cape Cod species) round out the site. [LXP]
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Interactive Calculus-Parametric Equations [frames]
http://members.aol.com/kchs99/calc/index.html
Two students at Kalamazoo College created this clear and artistic site to help students understand the basics of parametric equations. The site begins with a basic explanation of parametric equations in terms of functions and x and y coordinates; it continues with their application to projectile motion. An entertaining three-part problem allows students to test their newly acquired knowledge. Solutions are provided. [KH]
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Phytonematology Class Links [EndNotes]
http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/ttb/PLPA706/external.html
This small selection of links from a Cornell University phytonematology class contains a powerhouse of information on plant parasites and nematodes, including "the largest and most comprehensive collection of phytonematological information contained on the Internet," the "Nematodes Interactive Site," and "Platyhelminthes and Nematoda," among others. However, the crown jewel of Class Links is Emeritus Professor W.F. Mai's nematology reference library. This compressed, downloadable (EndNotes Plus format) nematology resource contains over 6,000 references from the early 1890's to 1985. Note that the EndNotes Plus Player can be obtained from the site. [LXP]
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Food and Science: Cook and Eat Chemistry
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/lp_res/nutri375.html
This curriculum guide was developed by the Utah State Board of Education to assist teachers in developing lesson plans for food science and food preparation courses at the high school level. Key features include the lesson plans and a brief nutrient review. The lesson plans are divided into eleven categories covering topics such as microorganisms, the scientific method, the nature of water, carbohydrates, protein, and fats and oils. The nutrient review briefly describes some fundamental nutrients; a table listing eleven nutrients, their associated purpose and food source is included. An understanding of basic and intermediate nutrition is assumed. [KH]
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The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
http://www.iucn.org/themes/ramsar/
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, also known as "Ramsar," was signed in Ramsar, Iran, to provide a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and wetland resources around the globe. With more than 100 member countries and over 900 wetlands in the reserve system today, the Ramsar Convention comprises one of the largest intergovernmental collaborations to date. Ramsar's home on the web is packed with information; it contains all the relevant documents pertaining to the Treaty, wetland protection, and Ramsar events. Also included is the agenda and program for COP7, Ramsar's next COP (Conference of the Parties) meeting to be held in San Jose, Costa Rica, from May 10-18, 1999. [LXP]
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Indoor Air Quality in Schools--EPA
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/
The US Environmental Protection Agency created this site to inform schools about the problem of indoor air quality. Indoor air quality (IAQ) can be worse than outdoor air quality, a dangerous proposition considering the heightened sensitivity of children to environmental pollution levels. The site is comprised of three key elements. Indoor Air Quality Basics for Schools is a fact sheet describing the importance of IAQ, sources of indoor air pollutants, how pollutants move through a building, and strategies for controlling indoor levels of pollution. The IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit provides schools with an easy-to-implement plan for improving indoor air quality. The third element consists of relevant frequently asked questions and their answers. [KH]
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Coastal Ocean Modeling at the USGS Woods Hole Field Center [FLC, MPEG]
http://crusty.er.usgs.gov/
Rich Signell of the United States Geological Survey provides this high-tech page, which contains circulation movies (FLC) of modeled coastal ecosystem processes. Featured here are: Comparison of Effluent Concentration from the Existing and Future Boston Harbor Sewage Outfalls; Tidal Flushing of Boston Harbor; Simulated Particle Trajectories Under a Steady Northeast Wind; and Upwelling and Spring Freshets in Massachusetts Bay. Also available at the site are Fly-by (MPEG) movies of Stellwagen Bank, Buzzards Bay, the Gulf of Maine, and Long Island Sound. Though slow to download, the circulation movies are worth the wait. There are also links to the USGS Woods Hole Field Center, the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program, and USGS Geologic Division, co-sponsors of the project. For additional information on gaining and using computer technology for ecosystem modeling, click on Rich Signell's Professional Page. [LXP]
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Geostationary Satellite Data--NASA GHC [Java]
http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/
This site, hosted by the Global Hydrology and Climate Center, a US National Aeronautics and Space Administration research center, provides real time images of the earth. Images are available for five regions: North America (1km); North and South America, Atlantic, and East Pacific (32km); Hawaii, Pacific Ocean and North America (32km); Japan, Australia, West Pacific, and Asia (32km); and a global geostationary satellite composite (56km). Users have the option of zooming in on a selected region of the image. Java based image animations are also available. Data for the images are obtained from three different satellites, GOES-8, GOES-9, and GMS-5. Images are updated every 30 minutes. [KH]
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Whale-Watching-Web
http://www.physics.helsinki.fi/whale/
This metasite, by Rauno Lauhakangas of the University of Helsinki, Finland, includes a myriad of whale-related topics, some of which are scientific. The research-oriented sections include: Oceanographic Research (a collection of links to research sites, i.e. The Radio Acoustic Positioning and Telemetry Network -- a useful technique for monitoring whale/fish behavior); Cetacean's Rights (a section providing examples of legislation regulating whale-watching in Argentina, New Zealand, and elsewhere); and Bioacoustics (a section of links dedicated to Cetacean Research Technology). Educators will find useful information and compelling photographic images in the Cetacean Encyclopaedia (an introduction to whale species); Cetacean Pictures; and Virtual Whale Watching (a high-tech, state-of-the-art introduction to virtual whale-watching). [LXP]
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(For links to additional current awareness on tables of contents, abstracts, preprints, new books, data, conferences, etc., visit the Science & Engineering Current Awareness Metapage: http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/scout/report/sci-engr/metapage/).
ADS Article Service
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/ads_articles.html
The Astrophysics Data System, a database funded by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, provides access to scanned astronomical journal articles. The database currently contains sixteen journals, including Astronomy & Astrophysics and Meteoritics & Planetary Sciences, from which articles may be viewed. To find articles, specify volume number and page or plate number. The database is restricted to archived journals; most journals are available through 1996, with a few available through 1997. In addition, the articles can be accessed through separate table of contents and abstract services also provided by ADS. [KH]
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Find the Expert at the Agricultural Research Service--USDA
http://alembic.nal.usda.gov:9500/NPS/expert.htm
The United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service now offers a feature where users can directly ask questions of Agricultural experts. Searching is possible in three ways: Keyword, Broad Subject Area, or Research Area. Typical search results include lists of experts with contact addresses, including email. With subject areas ranging from Air Quality and Mitigation to Weeds, this service adds a nice notch in the measuring stick of improved scientific communication. [LXP]
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New Publications
Who Is Unemployed? Factors Affecting Unemployment Among Individuals with Doctoral Degrees in Science and Engineering--NSF SRS
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/nsf97336/start.htm
This division of Science Resource Studies of the US National Science Foundation Report discusses the "factors affecting unemployment among individuals with U.S. doctoral degrees in science and engineering in 1993." It looks at who is most likely to be unemployed, the predictability of unemployment rates, and factors affecting unemployment over time. The report studies trends from 1973-1993. [JS]
Academia Book Releases--Baker & Taylor--April 1998
http://www.baker-taylor.com/Academia/M04/Home.html
Baker & Taylor has announced their book releases for titles scheduled to be available to the public in May 1998. New titles are available in Agricultural Sciences; Biological Sciences; Chemical, Biotechnological, and Petroleum Engineering; Earth Sciences; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Mathematical Sciences; Mechanical Engineering; and Technology and Material Sciences. See the Science & Engineering Current Awareness Meta Page for links to individual new books sections. [KH]
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Jobs
Job Openings in Science and Technology from the Chronicle of Higher Education
http://thisweek.chronicle.com/.ads/.ads-by-group/.faculty/.scitech/.links.html
[JS]
The Directory
http://www.thedirectory.aone.net.au/
The Directory posts job vacancies at "universities, corporations and scientific institutions" in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and occasionally Europe. About half a dozen fully documented advertisements appear in each biweekly issue. Note that advertisements are page images. [LXP]
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Funding Opportunity Information
Funding Available for Unidata Equipment Grants--NSF
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1998/nsf9869/nsf9869.htm
The Division of Atmospheric Sciences (ATM) of the US National Science Foundation has announced the acceptance of equipment proposals "from academic institutions engaged in teaching and research in the atmospheric and related sciences for Unidata-supported systems ... The target date for submitting proposals to be considered for funding in FY 1998 is June 16, 1998." Note that small schools or schools that have not previously submitted proposals are encouraged to apply. [LXP]
EPSCoR Jurisdictions Applying for High Performance Connections Awards--NSF
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1998/nsf9867/nsf9867.txt
The NSF has announced that "supplemental funding is available to institutions from EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) jurisdictions receiving a two year approximately $350,000 (per institution) grant for High Performance Connections (NSF 96-64). Subject to the availability of funds, the EPSCoR program may supplement a High Performance Connection award with up to $200,000 of additional funding for extraordinary costs of telecommunication lines of DS3 bandwidth (45 megabits per second) or higher to a vBNS point-of-presence (POP)." Requests must be received at NSF by April 20, 1998. [LXP]
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Conferences
SC98: High Performance Networking and Computing
http://www.supercomp.org/sc98/
Sponsored by the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society, and the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer Architecture (ACM SIGARCH), this conference marks the tenth anniversary of the annual meeting for supercomputing. The conference, November 7-13, 1998, will feature "technical papers, tutorials, an education program, research exhibits, poster exhibits, industry exhibits," and a special session, SCinet98. Also part of the conference are invited presentations and Fernbach, Best Paper, and Best Student Paper award presentations. Deadlines for abstract submissions vary for each program, but most are May 15, 1998. [KH]
EnviroNews Environmental Calendar
http://library.envirolink.org/ - Click on: Events
This site, provided by EnviroLink, is an excellent resource listing upcoming scientific and environmental meetings, symposia, seminars, conferences, and courses. Listed by month (and within month, by day), each entry contains a brief description of the event, including location and contact addresses. Highlights for April, 1998 include the Stockholm '98 Conference Students for a Sustainable Europe, Endocrine Disrupters Conference and Workshop, Enviro Business Expo 1998, and the Fiftieth Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission, among others. Also provided are instructions on how to post an upcoming event. [LXP]
Internet Conference on Integrated Bio-Systems
http://home2.swipnet.se/~w-25860/icibs/
The Institute of Advanced Studies at the United Nations University, Tokyo, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Microbial Resources Center, are organizing this online conference to discuss and share information on integrated bio-systems. Papers will be presented on the web from April-December 1998, allowing discussion of the paper via the web or email lists. Conference topics are divided into four key areas: agriculture, aquaculture, and horticulture; treatment and utilization of food industrial/municipal organic solid wastes and wastewaters; management of natural resources; and built structures. Abstracts must be submitted two months prior to intended date of presentation. [KH]
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The Gymnosperm Database
http://home.earthlink.net/~earlecj/index.htm
This database is a fabulous resource for students and researchers of conifers, cycads, and their allies; it was created by Dr. Christopher J. Earle, a dendrochronologist and doctorate of the University of Washington. The user enters the taxonomic database at the highest level, Order and Family, and can then navigate to Species (or sometimes Variety) levels. At each level, information on the taxon is provided, along with bibliographic citations. In addition to the gymnosperm database, the site provides a links page with pointers to bibliographic databases, virtual image galleries and other resources. Special sections on gymnosperms of Alta California, gymnosperms of Sichuan, tree age determination, paleobotany of Australia and New Zealand conifers, and podocarp forests of south-west New Zealand further complement the site. [LXP]
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Galileo Solid State Imaging Full Data Releases--E4
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/galileo/sepo/fulldata.html
The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has released updated Solid State Images (discussed in the September 12, 1997 Scout Report) of Galileo's fourth orbit of Jupiter (E4). Data sets and images are available through the Planetary Data System. [KH]
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Genetic Maps of the Rat Genome--Release Four--WI MITCGR
http://www.genome.wi.mit.edu/rat/public/index_main.html
No frames:
http://www.genome.wi.mit.edu/rat/public/no_frames.html
The Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research/Massachussetts Institute of Technology Center for Genome Research has recently released the fourth version of these genetic maps. The maps are available as viewable images, PICT and PostScript files. The maps contain 3,332 markers making a total of "4,151 available rat SSLP markers." Markers can be searched by position/polymorphism or marker name. [JS]
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Six- and Three-Hourly Meteorological Observations From 223 U.S.S.R. Stations
http://cdiac.ESD.ORNL.GOV/epubs/ndp/ndp048/ndp048.html
This data has been made available through the cooperation of the National Climatic Data Center in North Carolina and the Research Institute of Hydrometeorological Information--World Data Center in Obninsk, Russia. The data includes 25 meteorological observations recorded for 6 and 3 hourly increments at 223 stations in the former Soviet Union. Data files, including programs used to read the data, are available through web or anonymous ftp access. [KH]
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The 50th Anniversary of the First Tornado Prediction
1. The Storm Prediction Center [.zip]
http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/~spc/
2. National Weather Service
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/index.html
3. The Tornado Project Online
http://www.tornadoproject.com/index.html
4. Technical Discussions, Articles, and More
http://taiga.geog.niu.edu/chaser/tech.html
5. Weather and Climate Glossary
http://www.ocs.ou.edu/glossary/glossary.html
6. Radar and Satellite Images
http://cirrus.sprl.umich.edu/wxnet/radsat.html
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the first tornado prediction, this week's In the News will look at tornado and storm forecasting. These six resources discuss various aspects of the topic. On March 25, 1948, two Air Force meteorologists, using weather charts for the surface and upper-air and the weather charts from past tornadoes, predicted that a tornado would hit the Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Today, weather forecasts are made using much more advanced technologies, such as the Doppler and NEXRAD radar systems.
(1) The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is part of the National Severe Storms Laboratory within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Center is charged with monitoring and forecasting severe weather for the continental United States. The site is highlighted by the latest information about severe weather and a large historical archive of information, available in .zip file format, back to 1950. (2) The National Weather Service (NWS), also part of NOAA, is similar in scope to the SPC but extends its prediction coverage to US "territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas." The NWS homepage provides links to current weather, climatic data, public affairs, and national centers. (3) The Tornado Project Online provides a wealth of information about tornadoes, including safety, the Fujita scale, a measure of a tornado's intensity, and common tornado myths. (4) This site provides links to research projects, research papers, and essays concerning the technical aspects of tornadoes. The site is part of the Storm Chaser Homepage, hosted by the Department of Geography at Northern Illinois University. (5) This glossary of weather and climate terms is provided by the Oklahoma Climatological Survey. (6) Radar and Satellite images, provided by the University of Michigan Weather Underground's WeatherNet, contains images for the continental US and other areas around the world. [KH]
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The Scout Report for Science & Engineering
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The Scout Report for Science & Engineering is published every other Wednesday by the Internet Scout Project, located in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Computer Sciences.

Susan Calcari
Jack Solock
David Flaspohler
Laura X. Payne
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Jeannine Ramsey

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Copyright Susan Calcari and the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 1994-1998. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of the Scout Report for Science & Engineering provided the copyright notice and this paragraph is preserved on all copies. The Internet Scout Project provides information about the Internet to the US research and education community under a grant from the National Science Foundation, number NCR-9712163. The Government has certain rights in this material.

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