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=======
The Scout Report
November 4, 2005
Volume 11, Number 44
-----
A publication of the Internet Scout Project.
Sponsored by University of Wisconsin - Madison Libraries.
=======


==   I N   T H E   S C O U T   R E P O R T   T H I S   W E E K  ========



====== Research and Education ====
1.  Social Psychology Network
2.  Center for the Advanced Study of India
3.  Global Legal Information Network
4.  Mind the Gap: Disparities and Competitiveness in the Twin Cities
5.  Bat Conservation International
6.  Einstein Light: A Brief Illumination of Relativity

====== General Interest ====
7.  Folkstreams
8.  An Image Bank for Everyday Revolutionary Life
9.  Science and Photography Through the Microscopy
10. International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
11. Farming Today
12. Before and After Disasters: Federal Funding for Cultural Institutions

====== Network Tools ====
13. PodSpider
14. Audacity 1.2.3

====== In The News ====
15. Advances in nanotechnology continue to be of great interest and concern




====== Research and Education ====

1.  Social Psychology Network [pdf]
http://www.socialpsychology.org/

With over 11,000 links contained within its pages, the Social Psychology
Network site is arguably the largest social psychology database on the
Internet. Maintained by Professor Scout Plous of Wesleyan University, the
site has been generously supported by the National Science Foundation.
Visitors will appreciate the very clean layout of the site's homepage, as
they are presented with a search engine, along with a number of electronic
forums, and a listing of related topics. To delve into the site's contents,
visitors may wish to select from any one of the areas on the left-hand side
of the homepage, which include listings of doctoral programs in social
psychology and teaching resources. There are numerous other options for
interested parties, and they lead to such offerings as rankings of doctoral
programs in the field and distance learning options in the field. Finally,
visitors can also view many of the site's documents in a number of
languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, and German. [KMG]


2.  Center for the Advanced Study of India [pdf]
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/casi/index.htm

India remains a country that fascinates both scholars looking at its
historical development and those who are intimately concerned with its role
in the global economy. In order to provide a congenial place for people with
such interests to interact and exchange ideas, the University of
Pennsylvania created the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI) in
1992. Visitors to the CASI site can learn about some of their thematic areas
of research, peruse an event calendar, and read a number of topical
publications produced by resident scholars and academics. The occasional
papers archive dates back to 1995, and users of the site will also want to
look at the publication "India In Transition". For visitors who may be
looking for specific materials, the site also includes a search engine.
[KMG]


3.  Global Legal Information Network
http://www.glin.gov/

Legal scholars and those with an interest in the law will definitely want to
take a look at the Global Legal Information Network (GLIN) website. Here
visitors can search official full text legal documents, including judicial
decisions, legislation, and laws. The database is provided courtesy of the
Law Library of the United States Congress, and it draws from countries from
around the world who wish to provide access to their own legal documents.
Some of the countries who participate in the program include Brazil, Costa
Rica, Kuwait, Peru, and Romania. Visitors will find that the ways to search
the database are extremely helpful. Options include searching by
jurisdiction, publication date, subject terms, and language. The site is
rounded out by a section that provides answers to frequently asked questions
about using the database. [KMG]


4.  Mind the Gap: Disparities and Competitiveness in the Twin Cities [pdf]
http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20051027_mindthegap.pdf

Throughout the history of cities, there have always been stark contrasts
between proximate conurbations. One can consider the dramatic differences
between the cities of East St. Louis and St. Louis for such a study in
socioeconomic contrasts. In fact, these differences have attracted the
attention of policymakers, sociologists, geographers, and planners for
decades. This recent report from The Brookings Institution's Metropolitan
Policy program details the disparities among various groups of people within
the Twin Cities region of Minnesota. Authored by Rebecca Sohmer, the 44-page
report looks at how the region does (and does not) work for different
populations. In the report, Sohmer details three particular "gaps", namely
race, class, and place disparities throughout the region. Sohmer notes that
a dedicated effort committed to reducing these disparities may in fact
promote a strong future workforce and build a healthier region. [KMG]


5.  Bat Conservation International [pdf]
http://www.batcon.org/home/default.asp

Founded in 1982, the mission of Bat Conservation International (BCI) is "to
teach people the value of bats, to protect and conserve critical bat
habitats, and to advance scientific knowledge through research". On their
website, visitors will be able to learn about their advocacy and outreach
efforts, along with learning more about these fascinating and important
creatures. The "All About Bats" section is a fine place to start, as it has
a number of illustrated essays that include brief overview of the natural
history of bats and suggestions on photographing bats as they fly through
the air. Equally compelling is the section is the conservation programs
area, which details the various programs BCI operates in various bat
habitats, including bridges and caves. Finally, visitors can also elect to
send one of a number of electronic bat postcards to friends or colleagues.
[KMG]


6.  Einstein Light: A Brief Illumination of Relativity
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/

With endorsements from both Scientific American and Science magazines, this
website developed by The University of New South Wales is gaining currency
among those interested in using the web for educational purposes. The basic
mission of the Einstein Light site is to present a brief overview of
Einstein's theory of relativity and its relationship to the work done by
Galileo and Newton. This of course means they must address such thorny
topics as time dilation and length contraction. They do just that, with the
assistance of two animated models, Zoe and Jasper. Throughout the various
modules presented here, the two models provide the means by which the casual
visitor can begin to understand these concepts. Visitors may also appreciate
the fact that there are also a number of related links offered here for
further edification. Some of the sections here include "Electricity and
magnetism in a moving frame: what would you expect?" and "Is time dilation
true?". Overall, this is a well-designed site that will be of interest to
those with a general interest in this subject and for educators as well.
[KMG]



====== General Interest ====

7.  Folkstreams [Real Player, Quick Time]
http://www.folkstreams.net/

To say that finding certain obscure documentaries can be difficult is quite
an understatement. Fortunately, finding documentary films about American
folk or roots culture just got much easier, courtesy of the good people at
Folkstreams.net. On this website, visitors can view dozens of very
compelling documentaries about such persons as John E. "Frail" Joines, a
master tale teller from Wilkes County, North Carolina and singer-faith
healer Fannie Bell Chapman. Visitors looking for specific films can search
the entire website for such viewing material, along with searching program
transcripts, images, and essays.  One rather intriguing film that should not
be missed is "Hundred and Two Mature", which provides a portrait of retired
businessman Harry Lieberman. The site also contains an RSS feed and a
worthwhile blog which allows visitors to leave audio feedback. [KMG]


8.  An Image Bank for Everyday Revolutionary Life
http://www.e-flux.com/projects/siqueiros/

Mexican Muralist David Afaro Siqueiros, (1896-1974), collected over 11,000
photographic images as research materials for his artwork, often sketching
on top of photographs, and asking photographers to stage scenes that would
later appear in his work. Siqueiros wanted this archive made available to
other artists for inspiration, and wrote, "Nothing can give the [artist] of
today the essential feeling of the modern era's dynamic and subversive
elements more than the photographic document." The Siqueiros Photographic
Archive at the Sala de Arte Publico follows Siqueiros' wishes by providing
this web-accessible image bank. Approximately half of the archive is now
online, organized according to Siqueiros' original categories, which include
Architecture, Objects, People and Historical Figures, Models, Workers &
Industry, and Personal Photography, the largest category, with over 1600
images. [DS]


9.  Science and Photography Through the Microscopy
http://education.denniskunkel.com/

Over the past thirty years, Dennis Kunkel has worked in the field of
microscopy, and along the way, he has developed a number of exhibits,
publications, and other such materials on the subject. For those looking for
such material online, this site provides both a fine image bank for general
use and general information about the art and science of this interesting
field of scientific endeavor. The first stop for most visitors should be the
education image library area of the site. Here they can search the database
of micrographs in its entirety, or browse the contents by category, which
includes such areas as crystals, insects, or protozoa. One rather fun
feature on the site is the "Most Wanted Bugs" section, which contains twelve
"bug mugs" and "bug body" shots taken through the process of
photomicrography. The site is rounded out by the "Zoom In" area, which
allows users the opportunity to zoom in on a black ant, a fruit fly, or a
mosquito. [KMG]


10. International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements [pdf]
http://www.ifoam.org/

The demand for products grown under certified organic conditions continues
to increase, and a number of organizations around the globe remain committed
to this idea. One such organization is the International Federation of
Organic Agriculture. From their homepage, visitors can learn about their
organization, their sponsored events, and their advocacy efforts. Of course,
those persons doing research on this field will want to take a look at their
most recent report, The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and
Emerging Trends 2005, which is available here. Those persons who may not be
entirely familiar with the basic facts of what constitutes organic
agriculture will definitely want ot take a look at the "Organic Facts"
section of the site. Here they can learn about the basic principles of
organic agriculture, along with materials on food security, food quality,
and the organic certification process. [KMG]


11. Farming Today [Real Player]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/farmingtoday/index.shtml

When people think of rural England, they frequently think of the tranquil
farms that dot the country's landscape. As in many other places in the
developed world, agricultural practices continue to change quickly, and this
radio program from the BBC 4 network provides some insight into this process
and what it means to those persons who live in the countryside. Hosted by
Anna Hill and Miriam O'Reilly, the program offers discussion with policy
experts, farmers, local businesspeople, and government officials. Visitors
can also listen to previous shows, and they may also wish to take a look at
some of the related links, such as those that profile other BBC programs,
including the show On Your Farm and Open Country. [KMG]


12. Before and After Disasters: Federal Funding for Cultural Institutions
[pdf]
http://www.arts.gov/pub/DisasterRecovery.pdf

First created in 1992, this guide is intended to help cultural institutions
prepare for emergencies and disasters that may strike their regions. This
latest version of the report, prepared by FEMA and the National Endowment
for the Arts, provides summary descriptions and contact information for 15
federal grant and loan programs. The report also includes an additional
number of sources of federal assistance for preparedness, mitigation, and
response. Within each resource listing, the report also provides information
on which activities might be eligible for support and a listing of potential
award amounts. This latest version also contains a host of online resources
that will be most helpful, including links to the American Institute for
Conservation and the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts.
[KMG]



====== Network Tools ====

13. PodSpider
http://www.podspider.com/website/v2/en/podspider.php?affiliate=1a08f4ebe7e2be602256412ed41ed96f

As podcasts grow in popularity, people all over the world continue to search
the nooks and crannies of the web in an attempt to find everything from
archived broadcasts of self-help programs from Sweden to discussions of
muscle-cars in southern California. With this latest application, the
process involved in finding such podcasts is greatly simplified. Visitors
can use their podcast directory to browse through 25 subject areas and 300
categories via the click of their mouse. This application is compatible with
computers running Windows XP. [KMG]


14. Audacity 1.2.3
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
>From Helsinki to Helena, Montana, lovers of audio experimentation benefit
from a wealth of online resources designed to let them record live audio,
convert tapes and records into digital recordings, and splice or mix sounds
together. One such application that allows users to do all of those tasks is
Audacity 1.2.3. Their website also contains helpful hints on using the
program that will definitely come in handy. This version of Audacity is
compatible with all computers running Windows 98 and newer. [KMG]





====== In The News ====

15. Advances in nanotechnology continue to be of great interest and concern
Nanotechnology may help treat cancer
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/1500AP_Nanotechnology_Cancer.html

Big troubles may lurk in super-tiny tech/Nanotechnology experts say legal,
ethical issues loom
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/10/31/MNG28FGMVJ1.DTL

Richard E. Smalley, 62, Dies; Chemistry Nobel Winner
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/29/science/29smalley.html

National Nanotechnology Initiative [pdf]
http://www.nano.gov/

Nanotubes and Buckyballs
http://www.nanotech-now.com/nanotube-buckyball-sites.htm

Center for Responsible Nanotechnology
http://www.crnano.org/index.html

Nanotechnology has been around for several decades, but a number of recent
findings have increased the general interest in this emergent combination of
scientific knowledge and technological innovation. At the European Cancer
Conference in Paris this past Tuesday, researchers from Harvard Medical
School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology presented research
findings that suggest that this emergent technology may be used to release
cancer-killing drugs inside tumors within the body. The research was
conducted on mice, and involved engineering nanoparticles which were
embedded with a cancer drug. The initial results were promising, and Dr.
David Kerr, a professor of clinical pharmacology at Oxford University
commented that "This looks like a step forward." After Kerr's initial
remarks, he also noted that "This is only one design step toward what
ultimately must be a systemic treatment. As with many emergent technological
advances throughout the ages, there remains a great concern about the
potential ethical and moral dilemmas posed by the growth of nanotechnology.
Not surprisingly, this was also a question under debate at the International
Congress of Nanotechnology, which took place this week in San Francisco.
[KMG]

The first link will take visitors to a news article about these recent
scientific findings as reported by Emma Ross in the Seattle Post-
Intelligencer. The second link leads to a well-written piece in the San
Francisco Chronicle that explores some of the growing ethical concerns
surrounding the growth of nanotechnology. The third link leads to the
obituary of Richard E. Smalley, who shared the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in
1996, and who is also very closely associated with the exponential growth of
interest in the field of nanotechnology. The fourth link leads to the
homepage of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, which provides
information about the federal government's efforts to facilitate technology
transfer in the field and to maintain a first-rate research and development
program. The fifth link will take users to a very nice site that explains
both the form and structure of nanotubes and buckyballs. Both of these forms
of carbon are tremendously important to the field of nanotechnology, and the
explanations offered here are concise and lucid. The final link leads to the
homepage of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, which offers insights
into the benefits and risks of nanotechnology, along with a rather
intriguing weblog. [KMG]




======                        ======
==   Index for November 4, 2005   ==
======                        ======

1.  Social Psychology Network [pdf]
http://www.socialpsychology.org/

2.  Center for the Advanced Study of India [pdf]
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/casi/index.htm

3.  Global Legal Information Network
http://www.glin.gov/

4.  Mind the Gap: Disparities and Competitiveness in the Twin Cities [pdf]
http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20051027_mindthegap.pdf

5.  Bat Conservation International [pdf]
http://www.batcon.org/home/default.asp

6.  Einstein Light: A Brief Illumination of Relativity
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/einsteinlight/

7.  Folkstreams [Real Player, Quick Time]
http://www.folkstreams.net/

8.  An Image Bank for Everyday Revolutionary Life
http://www.e-flux.com/projects/siqueiros/

9.  Science and Photography Through the Microscopy
http://education.denniskunkel.com/

10. International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements [pdf]
http://www.ifoam.org/

11. Farming Today [Real Player]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/farmingtoday/index.shtml

12. Before and After Disasters: Federal Funding for Cultural Institutions
[pdf]
http://www.arts.gov/pub/DisasterRecovery.pdf

13. PodSpider
http://www.podspider.com/website/v2/en/podspider.php?affiliate=1a08f4ebe7e2be602256412ed41ed96f

14. Audacity 1.2.3
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
>From Helsinki to Helena, Montana, lovers of audio experimentation benefit
from a wealth of online resources designed to let them record live audio,
convert tapes and records into digital recordings, and splice or mix sounds
together. One such application that allows users to do all of those tasks is
Audacity 1.2.3. Their website also contains helpful hints on using the
program that will definitely come in handy. This version of Audacity is
compatible with all computers running Windows 98 and newer. [KMG]

15. Advances in nanotechnology continue to be of great interest and concern
Nanotechnology may help treat cancer
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/1500AP_Nanotechnology_Cancer.html



From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2005.
http://scout.wisc.edu/

Copyright Internet Scout Project, 1994-2005. The Internet Scout Project
(http://scout.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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