From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Fri Jun 04 11:15:00 1999 Path: biosci!news.stanford.edu!newsfeed.stanford.edu!uchinews2!newsswitch.lcs.mit.edu!howland.erols.net!news.net.uni-c.dk!not-for-mail From: "Hanne Østergård" Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: postdoc position on Population dynamics of fungal plant pathogens Date: Fri, 4 Jun 1999 14:04:47 +0200 Organization: UNI-C Lines: 49 Message-ID: <7j8fd5$nvm$1@news.net.uni-c.dk> NNTP-Posting-Host: pbk-72169.risoe.dk X-Trace: news.net.uni-c.dk 928497893 24566 130.226.49.38 (4 Jun 1999 12:04:53 GMT) X-Complaints-To: usenet@news.net.uni-c.dk NNTP-Posting-Date: 4 Jun 1999 12:04:53 GMT X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.5 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 At the Plant Biology and Biogeochemistry Department, Risø National Laboratory, Denmark, a postdoctoral position is open for a candidate interested in modelling population dynamics and evolution of fungal pathogens in a heterogeneous host plant population, especially Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici causing yellow rust on wheat. The successful candidate will join a research group modelling epidemiology, plant pathogen dynamics and evolution together with research on the genetics of qualitative and quantitative resistance and cellular resistance mechanisms to cereal fungal pathogens. The programme is also engaged in experimental plant population biology of crops and wild relatives. The candidate will take part in experimental studies and data analysis, working in close contact with scientists at the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Flakkebjerg, studying the epidemiology and population structure of the pathogen. The position is funded by an inter-institutional programme among Risø National Laboratory, Flakkebjerg Research Centre and the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University. The programme aims at describing genetic variation at the molecular scale and modelling population dynamic of the fungus to be able to increase the efficiency and durability of resistance in wheat towards Puccinia striiformis. A Ph.D. in population dynamics, population biology or related areas with emphasis on data analysis or modelling is required. Experience with fungal leaf pathogens is advantageous. The position is available for a period of two years at the earliest convenience. The terms of employment will be in accordance with the guidelines for scientific staff at Risø National Laboratory. The salary will depending on qualifications be in the region of 280.000 DKK per year plus benefits. Further information can be obtained from Hanne Østergård, phone +45-46774110 (E-mail: hanne.oestergaard@risoe.dk) or from the homepage www.risoe.dk where also general information about Risø National Laboratory may be found. Deadline for applications is 14 June 1999. Applications in three copies - including CV, publication list, selected publications and references, - should be marked ‘81-99/PLG-gulrust’ and send to: Risø National Laboratory Personel Office, Building 101 P. O. Box 49 DK-4000 Roskilde Denmark From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Tue Jun 08 12:23:00 1999 Path: biosci!EPOISSES.INRA.FR!reboud From: reboud@EPOISSES.INRA.FR (Xavier Reboud) Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Postdoc position at Dijon FRANCE Date: 8 Jun 1999 06:23:24 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 63 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19990608151741.395f7016@epoisses.inra.fr> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net A post-doctoral position in Arabidopsis molecular genetics is available this fall (September-October 1999) at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) Dijon, France. The appointee will be applying standard molecular biology techniques to analyze genetic polymorphism. The project is described below : Evolution of selected and neutral loci in Arabidopsis selected for early flowering over several cycles under different metapopulation regimens. An initial population (set up by mixing different origins and artificially maintaining male sterility to ensure recombination) has been subbmited to selection for early flowering over several cycles under different kinds of metapopulations. To date: 1) The selection has succesfully decreased mean population flowering time by more than 20 days 2) Genetic diversity has been followed using electrophoretic isozymes markers, but future work involving microsattelites may prove to be more suitable 3) Preliminary tests for polymorphism for a gene known to be involved in early flowering appeared unrelated to precocity of flowering among contrasting individuals. The appointee will have to answer two related questions: How has polymorphism at neutral loci and loci under selection evolved within and among populations ? Does the degree of polymorphism at these two kinds of loci show parallel evolution over several generations? Experience in molecular techniques and population genetics is necessary but prior work with plants is not required. Candidates for this position should apply immediately. They 1) must have had their Ph.D within the four last years, 2) must NOT have already worked in France and 3) cannot receive any other grant during the tenure of this post-doc. The duration of the fellowship is 12 months (US$1625 monthly, taxes being already removed) INRA at Dijon is a large group of scientists focusing generally on biology and Arabidopsis in particular. The surrounding region supports wide array of both cultural and outdoor activities, including its famous Burgundy wines and culinary excellence. Dijon is 1h40 from Paris by train. Interested candidates should send or email a resume, description of research experience to : Dr. Xavier REBOUD Laboratoire de Malherbologie & Agronomie (Weed Science) INRA BV 1540 F-21034 Dijon cedex France Phone : (33) 3 80 69 31 84 Fax : (33) 3 80 69 32 62 email : reboud@epoisses.inra.fr If you have any question do not hesitate to contact me at the above address (please use email when possible). Xavier REBOUD Laboratoire de Malherbologie et Agronomie BV 1540 21034 Dijon cedex France Tel : (33) 03 80 69 31 84 Fax: (33) 03 80 69 32 62 do not dial the 0 if you call from outside France From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Thu Jun 10 16:45:00 1999 Path: biosci!BILONG.COM!info From: info@BILONG.COM (BILONG Transgenics) Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: '99 ISAAST. Date: 10 Jun 1999 10:45:51 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 253 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <375FF7AF.E5F0240E@bilong.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net '99 International Symposium on Aging and Antiaging Science & Technology (with EXHIBITION) September 8-12, 1999 Beijing, China Scientific Sessions 1. Biological Science 2. Clinical & Experimental Medicine 3. Health Care for the Elderly 4. Traditional Chinese Medicine in Aging & Antiaging Invited Speakers: I. Biological Sciences Prof. Hajime Orimo, Japan # Osteoporosis - - - -Update *Dr. Dazhong Yin, Sweden # Free Radical, Non-enzymatic Glycosylation & Lipofuscin Prof. Zong-Yu Zhang and Tan-Jun Tong: Beijing, China # Progress in Research on Molecular Mechanisms of Aging Dr. Xu Song, Beijing, China # The Demonstration of the Thesis of Nonenzymatic Glycosylation Inducing Aging *Prof. Ayala Hochman, Tel Aviv, Isreal, £¿ # Overview of Free Radicals and Neurodegenerative diseases * Dr. Ron Kohen, Jerusalem, Israel # Reducing Equivalents in the Aging Process Prof. Beka Solomon: Tel Aviv, Isreal # Therapeutic Antibodies, a New Approach in Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease Prof. Wen-Bin Li, Beijing, China # Aging-mimetic effect of D-galactose and its Mechanism Dr. Zhong-Ming Wen, Suzhou, China Study of Aging Model in Rats Prof. Biansheng Liu, Wuhan, China # The Relationship of Nutrition and Aging Prof. Anna Xue, Beijing, China # Study on the Induction of Apoptosis by Superoxide Anion and Inhibition Effect of Antioxidant Nutrient Dr. Andrey I. Sukhodub, Kharkiv, Ukraine # Hypothetical Mechanism of Benzene Membrane Damage Action on the Liver Microsomers£¨£¿£© from Different Age Rats Prof. Ke-ji Chen, Beijing, China # Chinese Medicine and Health Preserving Dr. Cai-min Xu, Beijing, China # The Changes of Membrane Lipids and Proteins in the Aging Process of Erythrocytes Dr. Ping Wang, Wuhan, China # Theoretical and Experimental Research on the Relationship Between Excessive Intake of Fat-sweet Food and Senility II. Geriatrics *Prof. David J.E.Callaway, New York, USA # Molecular Model of Alzheimer Amyloid Fibril Formation Prof. Rui Han, Beijing, China # Recent Progress of Anticancer Drugs Originated From Plants in China Prof. Shu-Li Sheng, Beijing, China # Advance in Pathogenic Mechanism of Alzheimer’s Disease Prof. Yong-Jie Li, Beijing, China # Progress in Surgical Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Dr. Jinghe Li, Pharmacia & Upjohn, USA # A New Twist in Alzheimer Presenilins Prof. Geng-tao Liu, Beijing, China # Protective Action of the Extract of Gingko Biloba (EGb761) Against Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein-induced Damage of Endothelial Cells of New Born Calf Aorta. Dr. Shi-xin Jin, Beijing, China # The Osteoporosis of Aged Male --74 Case Analysis Prof. Yong-xing Ma, Shanghai, China # Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in the Aged and Preaged : Comprehensive Mechanism and Intervention Prof. Zhu-fang Shen, Beijing, China # The Hypoglycemic Effects of a Chinese Traditional Medicine (S 2), One of the Glucosidase Inhibitors Dr. Chun-qiang Guo, Beijing, China # Effects of 9804 on Learning and Memory of Mice Dr. Ying Wang, Beijing, China # Investigation of 9804 on Some Amino Acids in Brain of Mice Dr. Jiang-guo Chen, Nanjing, China # Studies on the Relationship between the Oxidatively Modified Low Density Lipoprotein and the Aging of the Myocardial and Renal Cells in Ovariectomized Rhesus Monkey. Dr. Huaxi Xu, New York, USA # Cell Biology of Alzheimer’s Disease: Mechanism for Beta-amyloid Generation and Regulation Dr. Lan Sun, Beijing, China # Effects of Coryfolia Extract in Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis Dr. Feng-hua Liu, Beijing, China # The Neuprotective Effect of Estrogen and Antioxidants Against Beta-amyloid Peptides(25-35) Induced Toxicity in Cultured Neuron Cells Dr. Wei Wang, Beijing, China # Research Report on Behavior and Therapeutic Mechanism of Alzheimer’s-type Dementia Induced in Mice by Centrally Administered Beta-amyloid Peptides Yan Chen, Beijing, China # Therapeutic Effects of 764-3 on Alzheimer’s-type Dementia Induced in Rats by Centrally Administered Beta-amyloid Peptides Dr. Mengen Zhang, Beijing, China # Prevention and Therapeutic Effects of BuShenHuoXueFang on Ischemia-type Dementia in Mice Hu Zhu, Beijing, China # Combined Monitoring of CEA and TSA Value in Early Diagnosis of Lung cancer III. Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Diseases in the Elderly Dr. Jia-shi Zhu, California, USA # The Effect of Chinese Anti-aging Food/drug Corcyceps (CordyMaxTM Cs-4) Improves Steady Bio-energy Status in Mouse Liver Prof. Jun-tian Zhang, Beijing, China # Study on the Antiaging Effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 Prof. Junda Liu, Beijing, China # Modulate effect of Chinese Herbs on Immune Function of Lymphocytes in the Elderly Prof. Chunsheng Li, Beijing, China # Status of a Decade of Study on Anti-senility Drugs by Applying Life-experiment and Senile Animal Model in China Zhi-xin Li, Beijing, China # Comparative Study on Modulating Effects of Different Kidney-Supplementing Spleen-vigorating Stasis-Removing Decoctions on Immune Function and Free Radical Metabolism in Old Mice Prof. Zhi-qui Wu, Beijing, China #1. Molecular Study of Crystalline Modification for Preventing Senile Cataract with Chinese Herbs of Tonifying Kidney and Supplementing Blood #2. A Study of Antiaging by Chinese Medicine Herbs of Tonifying Kidney and Nurishing Blood from the View of TCM theory. Dr. Guan-hua Du and Yong-hong Chen, Beijing, China # Effects of Salvianolic acid B on the Functions of Brain Mitochondria in Aging Mice Prof. Lin Li, Beijing, China # Effects of Chinese Herbs on dementia-like animal Models and Cell Models Prof. Jin-Zhou Tian, Beijing, China #1. The Influence of Compound Fhubarb Preparation on ChAT, AChE Activities and Ach Content of Aged Mice’s Cerebral Cortex and Hippocampus. or #2. Neuropsychological Findings Preceding Alzheimer’s dementia in English Individuals with Cognitive Impairment. #3. Research into the Treatment for Vascular Dementia in China Using Traditional Chinese Therapies Dr. Jiansheng Li, Zhengzhou, China # Effect of Daihuang Zhechong Pill of TCM on Kidney TXB2 and 6-Keto-PGF12 of Patients with Early-Stage Diabetic Nephropathy in the Aged. Exhibition The companies engaged in producing the instruments or reagents that may facilitate the antiaging researches are welcomed and encouraged to exhibit their high-tech products. For whose interested in the exhibition, please contact us at your earliest convenience. Sponsor Antiaging Science & Technology Society£¬ Gerontological Society of China Organizers Antiaging Science & Technology Society , Gerontological Society of China China International Symposium Center for Sciences and Technology (CICCST) Supporters Gerontological Society of China Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of medical Sciences Beijing Hospital and Gerontological Research Institute (to be continued) Contact: ********************************************************* BILONG Academic Events Add: 8 Nan Er Jie, Zhong Guan Cun, Beijing 100080, China Box: P.O. Box 8734, Beijing 100080, China Tel: 86-10-6256-0561, 6256-2226 Ext 211, 800-810-0797 Fax: 86-10-6253-2114 Email: BAE@bilong.com Website: www.ciccst.org.cn/99ISAAST ********************************************************* From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Fri Jun 11 08:00:00 1999 Path: biosci!internet!biosci!not-for-mail From: biohelp (BIOSCI Administrator) Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: BIOSCI/bionet miniFAQ & Fundraiser Date: 11 Jun 1999 02:00:21 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 233 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <199906110900.CAA07217@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net (LAST REVISION: 30-JUL-95) This BIOSCI "miniFAQ" is designed to answer the questions that come up the *most frequently*. The main BIOSCI FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is accessible on the World Wide Web at URL http://www.bio.net/. If you can not find an answer to your question in this or other documentation, the BIOSCI technical support staff answers e-mail queries sent to biosci-help@net.bio.net We can only answer questions about the use of the newsgroups and mailing lists. We unfortunately do not have the staff to do Internet information searches or answer scientific questions. Please post those to the appropriate BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups. Contents: -------- 0) BIOSCI NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!! 1) Using the WWW to access the BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups. 2) What to do about "spams," i.e., junk mail, ads, etc. 3) Examples of subscribing and unsubscribing to the mailing lists. 4) The BIOSCI user address and research interest directory. 0) BIOSCI NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!! ------------------------------ BIOSCI's government funding has been expended, and we are now operating solely from advertising revenue that we have raised from our Web site at http://www.bio.net/. We need just a few minutes of your time to help us serve you. You can do two important things which will take very little time for you individually and will immensely help us continue to help you. First, please use our WWW system at http://www.bio.net/ to access the archives. You can post or reply to messages via your Web browser as described in item #1 below. Your usage helps attract sponsors. If you contact any of our sponsors, please be sure to thank them for supporting BIOSCI. It is critical for them to get this feedback if they are to continue their sponsorship for the long term. Second, if you work for a company or organization that provides products or services of interest to the biology community, please pass this message on to your marketing or marketing communications department or other appropriate group. Please ask them to help support BIOSCI by sponsoring our Web site and explain the uses and benefits of the system to the biology community. If they are interested, they can then contact us for further information at our tech support address, biosci-help@net.bio.net. 1) Using the WWW to access the BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups. -------------------------------------------------------- As of 10 December 1995, all BIOSCI/bionet full newsgroups are accessible through the World Wide Web (WWW) at URL http://www.bio.net. One can read and reply publicly or privately to both recent postings and archived messages through one's Web browser if it is configured properly to send e-mail. Each newsgroup is equipped with its own WAIS index. The main BIOSCI home page also has access to the BIO-JOURNALS Table of Contents database WAIS index and the BIOSCI user address database described in another item further below. 2) What to do about "spams," i.e., junk mail, ads, etc. ------------------------------------------------------- BIOSCI is a set of parallel USENET newsgroups (the "bionet" groups), mailing lists, and a hypermail archive at URL http://www.bio.net/. The same postings are distributed on all media (except for a small number of mailing-list-only groups at net.bio.net). Unfortunately it is becoming a despicable practice on the Internet (by a few people out to make a fast buck) to do automated mass postings to thousands of newsgroups and mailing lists. These attempts to grab free advertising are refered to as "spams" in the usual, somewhat boneheaded, net terminology. USENET is more susceptible to this practice, and many spams originate on the USENET groups and then are passed on to the mailing lists. However, spammers also get lists of mailing addresses and hit these too, so neither medium is immune. What should you do personally if you get junk mail? --------------------------------------------------- Just delete it and move on without reading it further. Filing a protest is becoming increasingly useless because spammers are often disguising the addresses where the messages are sent from. Unless you really understand Internet mail systems, your attempt at protest by sending replies to the message will often end up being sent to the address of an innocent person that the spammer is victimizing. What can BIOSCI/bionet do to protect its newsgroups? ---------------------------------------------------- The only solution currently available is to moderate the newsgroup. If this newsgroup is already moderated, then you are in good shape. Moderation protects the USENET distribution from about 95% of the spams that are being sent to date and protects the mailing lists completely. Moderation means, however, that someone has to take the time to review each message before it goes out. We have set up software here that simply allows the moderator to forward to an address at net.bio.net messages that (s)he wishes to have distributed. This takes no more time than that needed to read the message and pass it on, say about 1 min. per message. Most newsgroups currently have a discussion leader who is responsible for their newsgroup. The discussions leaders and their e-mail addresses are listed in the BIOSCI Information Sheet which is available on the Web at http://www.bio.net/. If a newsgroup is being hit with too many junk postings, please contact the discussion leader for that group and see if there is interest in moderating the group. Please do not assume that by simply posting a complaint to the newsgroup itself, anyone on the BIOSCI staff will act on your complaint. With close to 100 newsgroups to run, the BIOSCI staff has to rely on the discussion leaders of each newsgroup to report problems directly to us at biosci-help@net.bio.net. We will moderate any of our newsgroups if the discussion leader tells us that the readership of the group wishes to do so and if a moderator is willing to do the work. For most BIOSCI/bionet groups, this entails only a few minutes of work each day. Moderating a newsgroup will resolve probably 95% of the junk postings on the USENET distribution. Unfortunately there are easy ways for determined spammers to override the moderation mechanism on USENET, but we can protect our e-mail subscribers from unwanted postings if the newsgroup is moderated. You can also access our newsgroups over the WWW at URL http://www.bio.net. While this Web interface will not stop spammers from trying to post to the groups, this will give you yet another way, besides using USENET news, to keep the junk out of your personal mail files. For those of you with local USENET news systems, the Web interface will also give you faster access to new newsgroups and recent postings. 3) Examples of subscribing and unsubscribing to the mailing lists. ------------------------------------------------------------------ PLEASE NOTE: The BIOSCI management does NOT act on subscription/unsubscription requests that are posted improperly to the newsgroups and mailing lists. People who do this only bother everyone on the lists to no avail. Please be sure to follow the proper procedures below. Gory details are in the BIOSCI Information sheets on the Web at http://www.bio.net. Below we give an example utilizing the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS list at both of our two BIOSCI sites: Users in the Americas and Pacific Rim countries who use the BIOSCI ------------------------------------------------------------------ node at computer net.bio.net: ---------------------------- A) Determine the "listname" which is the <=8 character mail address ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ for the group. These can be found in the BIOSCI Info. Sheet. For the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS group the mailing address is methods@net.bio.net. The listname is the portion of the address to the left of the @ sign, i.e., "methods". The listname is used with the "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" commands illustrated below. B) Mail all commands in the body of a mail message addressed to biosci-server@net.bio.net. Do NOT send commands to the newsgroup posting addresses! Leave the Subject: line blank, any text on it will be ignored. C) In the body of your message put one or more of the following commands with an "end" command on the last line, e.g., subscribe methods unsubscribe methods end Do NOT put your e-mail address or other text on these lines. The server only allows you to cancel your subscription if the address on your mail header matches the address on our mailing list. Please ask for help at biosci-help@net.bio.net if your address has changed, e.g., if you know you are on the list but the server tells you that you are not a member. Users in Europe, Africa, and Central Asia who use the BIOSCI node at -------------------------------------------------------------------- computer daresbury.ac.uk (also known as dl.ac.uk): ------------------------------------------------- To subscribe and unsubscribe to/from the BIOSCI lists, you need to specify the full USENET newsgroup name with "bionet-news." prepended. The USENET newsgroup names are listed in the BIOSCI Information sheet on the Web at http://www.bio.net/. For the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS list the USENET newsgroup name is bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts, thus the appropriate commands are sub bionet-news.bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts unsub bionet-news.bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts These commands are included in a message addressed to mxt@dl.ac.uk, NOT to the newsgroup mailing addresses. As usual, include the text in the body of the message as text on the Subject: line is ignored. To unsubscribe from all the lists at the UK node, use unsub bionet-news Please note that if the address in the list is different than the one in your mail message header, you will not be able to unsubscribe by this method. If you have problems, please mail biosci@daresbury.ac.uk. 4) The BIOSCI user address and research interest directory. ----------------------------------------------------------- Please take this opportunity to add your name, address, and research interest information to the BIOSCI User Address Database if you have not already done so. You can fill out the address form directly through our Web page at URL http://www.bio.net/adrform.html. The address database is reindexed nightly for WWW access (the URL is http://www.bio.net/). If you are not directly on the Internet but can reach it by e-mail, please use our waismail server to access the user directory. waismail use is described above. You can also request a user address form by e-mail from biosci-help@net.bio.net. Please check your database entry from time-to-time to see if your address information is still up-to-date. Because of our limited personnel resources, we ask that you resubmit a *complete* form to revise your entry; we only replace complete entries and do not have resources to edit old forms. From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Tue Jun 15 05:55:00 1999 Path: biosci!news.stanford.edu!newsfeed.stanford.edu!logbridge.uoregon.edu!pln-w!spln!extra.newsguy.com!newsp.newsguy.com!enews1 From: treetop@newsguy.com (Treetop) Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Yes, we do need population control. Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 01:02:33 -0700 Organization: http://extra.newsguy.com Lines: 178 Message-ID: References: <1vT23.613$C3.2369@ozemail.com.au> NNTP-Posting-Host: p-344.newsdawg.com X-Newsreader: MicroPlanet Gravity v2.11 In article <1vT23.613$C3.2369@ozemail.com.au>, djdd@metz.une.edu.au says... > In article <7au6oq$hln$4@reader1.reader.news.ozemail.net>, "Dharmadeva" > wrote: > > POPULATION GROWTH AND CONTROL > In today's world, the economic and social environment of human society > is restless and disturbed. Not particularly any more so than it has always been. Do you think that prior to modern times humanity lived in Utopia? > In such an abnormal situation, population growth > has been projected as a menacing threat to the existence of human society. The situation, which includes some strife and difficulty, is quite normal. Yes, the world population is growing rapidly, which indicates considerable health and power of our species. Yes, rapid population growth is a threat. > In fact, this sort of propaganda is nothing but an evil conspiracy > engineered by vested interests. Not propaganda at all, but reasonable information generated be well meaning people in conjunction with scientists, and this information has the support of the scientific community in general. Who are your evil conspirators and what are there vested interests? > No problem is greater than the human > capacity to solve it and, like all problems confronting humanity, the > socalled problem of over-population should be tackled and solved in a proper > way. We are not immune to extinction any more than the millions or species that have gone extinct before us. As we are confronted by problems we can only do the best we can, which hopefully will be good enough. The proper way to deal with the population problem is to take the scientific approach. The time so start is now, and not to wait until people are dying by the millions. > > In the natural course of evolution, birth and death are a never-ending > process of creation. New babies are born into our society giving great > pleasure to their parents and family members. Fair enough. > Unfortunately, there are some > people, whether in the government or other spheres of public life, who > consider the present birth rate a curse on society. A curse? Must you resort to emotionalism? There are people in government who, through the information of their scientists, realize that the present birth rate will eventually lead to great suffering if nothing is done. > This kind of negative > approach is definitely a blot on the glory of humanity which has attained > developed intellectual power and scientific knowledge. No, this is facing reality, which is a positive approach. In regard to "a blot on the glory of humanity," this has been already achieved collectively by Indian swamis and gurus. > > Does a population problem actually exist? This issue should be considered in > the perspective of two vital factors - the availability of food and the > availability of space. Today human beings have enough resources to manage > their food. Planet Earth is rich enough to feed a far greater number of > people than the present population. But due to lack of coordinated > co-operation, collective efforts, a proper ideology and proper planning, the > human society has been fragmented into many belligerent groups and > sub-groups, and into rich and poor nations. Gee, it sounds like the the force of competition and other natural forces are in effect. you mean it's not Utopia yet? How odd! Yes, we may be able to feed more then the present population (although some are starving this minute), but if the population rate keeps increasing, eventually our ability to supply food will be far outstripped. > > Because of this fissiparous tendency, human beings are presently incapable > of producing enough food to meet the demand. The tragedy is that there are > enough resources to supply proper food to all human beings in the world, but > the defect lies in the present approach of the existing socioeconomic > systems. Moreover, there is no shortage of space on the planet if the > existing space is properly utilized. Because the world has been fragmented > by so many arbitrary social, economic and political restrictions, as well as > by the pervasive influence of dogmas, human beings are unable to tackle > problems in a natural way. Suppose you get all nations to work cooperatively for maximum efficiency of food production and distribution. With no restriction on reproduction and adequate food the world population would increase geometrically. How long would it take until resources were insufficient? > If the existing resources could be maximally and rationally distributed, > pressing socioeconomic problems would be solved. It is a law of nature that > nature provides a mother with sufficient breast milk to feed her newly-born > baby. In the same way, nature provides sufficient resources like food and > other essential requirements for all human beings. Human beings need only > utilize these resources in a proper way. Firstly, there are some mothers who, for various reasons, are not able to produce sufficient milk. ("law of nature"??) Secondly, you are appealing to the emotional desire for security and the kindness of nature. Too bad. You are ignoring how evolution works. Without the harshness of nature, there would be no goodness or kindness. (Or evolution.) > Shortages of food and space cannot be blamed on nature. These problems have > been artificially created by the folly of human beings. So smarten up, you human beings. Listen to the Swami! > Nevertheless, it is > a fact that the population of the world is rapidly increasing, and due to > this many people have become frightened. In capitalist countries there are > sufficient reasons for such fear. In these countries an increase in the > population means a corresponding increase in poverty of the people. But > there is no reason for such fear in a collective economic system. In the > event of shortages in the food and accommodation of the population of the > world, people will convert uncultivated land into new arable land, increase > the productivity of the soil by scientific methods, produce food by chemical > processes with earth, water and air, You mean collective economies like bankrupt Russia, which has been receiving grain from the capitalist US in recent years; or like India which has been receiving handouts from the US since the 60's in order to avert starvation? > and if this earth decreases in its > productivity, then land seeking human beings will migrate to different > planets and satellites and settle there. HAHAHA! Billions of people moved to other planets and satellites. Do you realize how far off that kind of technology is, compared to how close mass starvation is if we do not restrict population growth? > In the present socioeconomic world, PROUT has a clear, positive approach and > a comprehensive policy to tackle the population problem. According to PROUT, > population growth will automatically find a natural level if the following > four factors exist in society. > > First, there should be economic affluence in the society so that people will > be provided with a nutritious diet. In Scandinavia, for example, the > purchasing capacity of the people is high and they enjoy a good standard of > living. They do not face any over-population problem. > > Secondly, everybody should enjoy sound health. If people have a healthy body > and mind, their glandular system will remain balanced and they can easily > channelize their physical energy into psychic and spiritual activities. This > process of channelization is the only way to check the mental flow towards > crude propensities. > > Thirdly, people should be free from unnecessary mental worries and > anxieties. When one suffers from mental agonies the mind naturally indulges > in crude enjoyments to forget its pain. If mental agonies are removed, > people will enjoy peace of mind and they can assimilate subtle ideas. > > Fourthly, the intellectual standard of humanity should be enhanced. With > intellectual advancement human beings can begin to develop their all round > psychic potentiality and can easily develop their psycho-spiritual > potential. Utopia again! The "intellectual standard" that we should listen to is that of the scientists of the world, not PROUT. > Through continued effort human beings will attain the Supreme Stance, > merging their individual unit existence into Supreme Consciousness. Thus, > the population problem is not only an economic problem, it encompasses > economic, biological, psychological and intellectual factors as well. > Oh yeah! I want to merge with the Supreme Consciousness! Where do I sign up?? Sheesh. Treetop From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Tue Jun 15 09:39:00 1999 Path: biosci!agate!newsfeed.berkeley.edu!newsfeed.cwix.com!207.225.159.2!news-out.uswest.net!news.uswest.net!not-for-mail Message-ID: <37662C0B.3CF80B94@uswest.net> From: N Lockhart Reply-To: user@uswest.net X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.04 [en] (Win95; U) MIME-Version: 1.0 Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Gen X baby boom? Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Lines: 6 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 05:33:47 -0500 NNTP-Posting-Host: 209.180.58.198 X-Trace: news.uswest.net 929442805 209.180.58.198 (Tue, 15 Jun 1999 05:33:25 CDT) NNTP-Posting-Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 05:33:25 CDT Organization: U S WEST Interprise Could anyone point me to some statistics on 20 somethings procreation habits? Sites or magazine articles would be great. Thanks in advance, N From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Tue Jun 15 13:25:00 1999 Path: biosci!news.stanford.edu!newsfeed.stanford.edu!logbridge.uoregon.edu!dispose.news.demon.net!demon!news.demon.co.uk!demon!irchouse.demon.co.uk!Richard From: Richard Seaby Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio,bionet.biology.tropical,bionet.software Subject: Announce: COMMUNITY ANALYSIS PACKAGE (CAP) Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 15:07:14 +0100 Organization: PISCES Conservation Ltd Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: irchouse.demon.co.uk X-NNTP-Posting-Host: irchouse.demon.co.uk:194.222.28.248 X-Trace: news.demon.co.uk 929456377 nnrp-01:24022 NO-IDENT irchouse.demon.co.uk:194.222.28.248 X-Complaints-To: abuse@demon.net MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Newsreader: Turnpike (32) Version 4.01 <0m8AKmNUbsiAkpxCmBEjIFZCRF> Lines: 93 Xref: biosci bionet.population-bio:3163 bionet.biology.tropical:3428 bionet.software:23631 COMMUNITY ANALYSIS PACKAGE (CAP) A program to search for structure in ecological community data which is easy to use, produces quality output and is affordable CAP is a Windows 95/98 program that offers a range of analytical techniques commonly used by community ecologists. Researchers in other fields such as palaeontology, archaeology and the social sciences also use many of these methods. Programs to carry out many of these techniques have long been available, but, they are often difficult to use as they were written for main frame computers or PC's using DOS and they frequently have little or limited graphical output. CAP has been designed for ease of use on PC's running under Windows 95/98. Data can be organised using standard Windows programs such as Excel and the output from CAP is displayed, exported and printed using standard Windows techniques. This results in a program that is easily used by both students and professional ecologists. It is particularly useful for ecological teaching because it allows students to quickly enter data, try different transformations and explore a range of methods within a familiar Windows setting. Methods available within CAP include - Principal Components Analysis. - Reciprocal Averaging. - Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DECORANA). - 7 Agglomerative cluster analysis methods. - 26 Similarity & distance measures - Divisive cluster Analysis. - Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN). - Association analysis. For more information please visit our web site http://irchouse.demon.co.uk CAP offers - An attractive and intuitive user interface. - Extensive help system. - Easy data importation from spreadsheets. - A wide range of data transformations. - Extensive data set statistics. - High quality graphical output. - Dendrograms that can be modified and exported. CAP is ideal for - Community ecology research. - Applied ecology. - Consultancies undertaking ecological assessments. - Post and undergraduate teaching. - Ecologists with little mathematical background. Within CAP the data is held as raw and working data grids which typically hold samples as the columns and species as the rows. The raw data grid can be edited and the working data can be transformed in a wide variety of ways. If desired, the program will remove samples or species that are represented by too many zeros and standardise the data in a variety of ways. The maximum size of the data set is 500 samples by 500 species. Once the working data set has been prepared the analysis to be undertaken is chosen from the drop-down menus arranged along the top bar of the program. The output is arranged in a tabbed notebook. Some tabs will hold text or the results of calculations and others graphs or dendrograms. Each page of the note book can be printed or in the case of graphical output exported in a variety of formats. Pisces Conservation Ltd is a small company of professional ecologists and programmers who are familiar with the needs of ecologists and offer full support to users of their programs. CAP shares the same data structure with Species Diversity and Richness PRICE UK Pounds 160 + VAT Student price UK Pounds 70 + VAT Postage and packaging UK Pounds 2.00 in Europe UK Pounds 5.00 all other countries VISA & MasterCard accepted Dr Richard Seaby PISCES Conservation Ltd IRC House The Square Pennington Tel - 44 (0)1590 676622 Lymington Fax - 44 (0)1590 675599 Hants Email - pisces@irchouse.demon.co.uk SO41 8GN Website - http://www.irchouse.demon.co.uk From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Wed Jun 16 05:24:00 1999 Path: biosci!MAXWELL.EE.WASHINGTON.EDU!marks From: marks@MAXWELL.EE.WASHINGTON.EDU ("Robert J. Marks II") Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: New Book: "Neural Smithing" (MIT Press - 1999) e Date: 15 Jun 1999 23:24:26 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 79 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19990615224027.006c093c@maxwell.ee.washington.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net NEW BOOK: Neural Smithing: Supervised Learning in Feedforward Artificial Neural Networks Russell D. Reed & Robert J. Marks II (MIT Press, 1999). _____________________ REVIEW "I have added a new book to the list of "The best elementary textbooks on practical use of NNs" in the NN FAQ ..." "Reed, R.D., and Marks, R.J, II (1999), Neural Smithing: Supervised Learning in Feedforward Artificial Neural Networks, Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, ISBN 0-262-18190-8. "After you have read Smith (1993) or Weiss and Kulikowski (1991), Reed and Marks provide an excellent source of practical details for training MLPs. They cover both backprop and conventional optimization algorithms. Their coverage of initialization methods, constructive networks, pruning, and regularization methods is unusually thorough. Unlike the vast majority of books on NNs, this one has lots of really informative graphs..." Warren S. Sarle, SAS Institute Inc. on . ______________________ Contents: Artificial neural networks are nonlinear mapping systems whose structure is loosely based on principles observed in the nervous systems of humans and animals. The basic idea is that massive systems of simple units linked together in appropriate ways can generate many complex and interesting behaviors. This book focuses on the subset of feedforward artificial neural networks called multilayer perceptions (MLP). These are the most widely used neural networks, with applications as diverse as finance (forecasting), manufacturing (process control), and science (speech and image recognition). This book presents an extensive and practical overview of almost every aspect of MLP methodology, progressing from an initial discussion of what MLPs are and how they might be used to an in-depth examination of technical factors affecting performance. The book can be used as a tool kit by readers interested in applying networks to specific problems, yet it also presents theory and references outlining the last ten years of MLP research. Table of Contents Preface 1 Introduction 1 2 Supervised Learning 7 3 Single-Layer Networks 15 4 MLP Representational Capabilities 31 5 Back-Propagation 49 6 Learning Rate and Momentum 71 7 Weight-Initialization Techniques 97 8 The Error Surface 113 9 Faster Variations of Back-Propagation 135 10 Classical Optimization Techniques 155 11 Genetic Algorithms and Neural Networks 185 12 Constructive Methods 197 13 Pruning Algorithms 219 14 Factors Influencing Generalization 239 15 Generalization Prediction and Assessment 257 16 Heuristics for Improving Generalization 265 17 Effects of Training with Noisy Inputs 277 A Linear Regression 293 B Principal Components Analysis 299 C Jitter Calculations 311 D Sigmoid-like Nonlinear Functions 315 References 319 Index 339 Ordering information: 1. MIT Press http://mitpress.mit.edu/book-home.tcl?isbn=0262181908 2. amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0262181908/qid%3D909520837/sr%3D1-21/ 002-3321940-3881246 3. Barnes & Nobel http://shop.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=1KKG10OPZT& mscssid=A7M4XXV5DNS12MEG00CGNDBFPT573NJS&pcount=&isbn=0262181908 4. buy.com http://www.buy.com/books/product.asp?sku=30360116 From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Wed Jun 16 07:12:00 1999 Path: biosci!news.stanford.edu!newsfeed.stanford.edu!logbridge.uoregon.edu!dispose.news.demon.net!demon!news.demon.co.uk!demon!irchouse.demon.co.uk!Richard From: Richard Seaby Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio,bionet.biology.tropical,bionet.software Subject: Re: Announce: COMMUNITY ANALYSIS PACKAGE (CAP) Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 09:05:00 +0100 Organization: PISCES Conservation Ltd Message-ID: <79HlGOAsq1Z3Ew4M@irchouse.demon.co.uk> References: NNTP-Posting-Host: irchouse.demon.co.uk X-NNTP-Posting-Host: irchouse.demon.co.uk:194.222.28.248 X-Trace: news.demon.co.uk 929520391 nnrp-04:2353 NO-IDENT irchouse.demon.co.uk:194.222.28.248 X-Complaints-To: abuse@demon.net MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Newsreader: Turnpike (32) Version 4.01 <0m8AKmNUbsiAkpxCmBEjIFZCRF> Lines: 17 Xref: biosci bionet.population-bio:3165 bionet.biology.tropical:3430 bionet.software:23636 >COMMUNITY ANALYSIS PACKAGE (CAP) > Sorry Wrong web address - the correct one is http://www.irchouse.demon.co.uk Dr Richard Seaby PISCES Conservation Ltd IRC House The Square Pennington Tel - 44 (0)1590 676622 Lymington Fax - 44 (0)1590 675599 Hants Email - pisces@irchouse.demon.co.uk SO41 8GN Website - http://www.irchouse.demon.co.uk From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Thu Jun 17 15:55:00 1999 Path: biosci!bcm.tmc.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!news.maxwell.syr.edu!dispose.news.demon.net!demon!colt.net!Pollux.Teleglobe.net!server-b.cs.interbusiness.it!none444.yet From: no.email.address.entered@none444.yet Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Mp3 FREE Site www.mediterranei.it/mp3 Date: Thursday, 17 Jun 1999 17:23:59 -0600 Organization: Message-ID: <17069917.2359@none444.yet> NNTP-Posting-Host: 212.210.253.209 Lines: 3 www.mp3.com/greyowl www.mediterranei.it/mp3 Upload your songs for free From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Fri Jun 18 00:19:00 1999 Path: biosci!cnn.nas.nasa.gov!enews.sgi.com!nntp.flash.net!news.algonet.se!algonet!newsfeed.tli.de!newsfeed.amsterdam.nl.net!sun4nl!uunet!ams.uu.net!ffx.uu.net!in5.uu.net!news.orbitworld.net!not-for-mail From: Cindy Gresham Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Questions re science illustration Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 19:46:27 -0500 Organization: OrbitWorld Network, Inc. Lines: 39 Message-ID: <376996DE.52AA22A0@orbitworld.net> Reply-To: gresham@orbitworld.net NNTP-Posting-Host: dialup-2-70.orbitworld.net Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-mac-type="54455854"; x-mac-creator="4D4F5353" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.01 (Macintosh; I; PPC) X-Priority: 3 (Normal) I am a freelance graphic designer hoping to switch my focus to science illustration, and have just completed a BSc in biology. I am just beginning my research into who uses science illustrators and for what type of projects, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to just broadcast these questions in a few newsgroups. Any responses to any of my questions will be very much appreciated. 1. Have any of the participants in this newgroup ever been involved in the production of a biology textbook? If so... a. How much specific instructions were the illustrators given about the content of the illustrations? b. How much did the publisher or author rely on the illustrator's own knowedge of the subject? c. Are authors involved in the selection of illustrators, or do the publishers usually do the selection? 2. Do any of the participants in this newsgroup ever work with illustrators to enhance a slide presentation or an article? If so... a. How do you go about selecting an illustrator for projects such as this? b. Is there someone else who would do the selecting for you? c. Would you do a search on the internet for science illustrators? d. Would it be helpful to receive a sample of an illustrator's work in the mail to keep on hand? I am very grateful to anyone who can offer any advice or insights. And, naturally, I am happy to send some samples of my work to any one who is interested! Best regards, Cindy Gresham Houston, TX From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Fri Jun 18 11:05:00 1999 Path: biosci!rutgers!gatech!howland.erols.net!dispose.news.demon.net!demon!newspeer.clara.net!news.clara.net!colt.net!Pollux.Teleglobe.net!server-b.cs.interbusiness.it!nowhere33.yet From: nobody@nowhere33.yet Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Do you want to hear Italian Progressive Rock in MP3 for FREE? Go on www.mp3.com/greyowl Date: Friday, 18 Jun 1999 13:20:23 -0600 Organization: Message-ID: <18069913.2023@nowhere33.yet> NNTP-Posting-Host: 212.210.253.209 Lines: 7 If you like a progressive rock band that sing in italian go on www.mp3.com/greyowl If you want hear others sicilian group in MP3 format go on www.mediterranei.it/mp3 It's a good choice! Best regards From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Sat Jun 19 00:51:00 1999 Path: biosci!rutgers!nntp.upenn.edu!newsserver.jvnc.net!198.138.0.5!newshub.northeast.verio.net!dispose.news.demon.net!demon!news-lond.gip.net!news.gsl.net!gip.net!colt.net!Pollux.Teleglobe.net!server-b.cs.interbusiness.it!nowhere33.yet From: nobody@nowhere33.yet Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Mediterranei On Line: Video, Mp3, folklore of sicilians people. Date: Saturday, 19 Jun 1999 00:51:43 -0600 Organization: Message-ID: <19069900.5143@nowhere33.yet> NNTP-Posting-Host: 212.210.253.209 Lines: 3 www.mediterranei.it here you can find news from Sicily in real Video, Music in Mp3 format and many other cool things! From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Tue Jun 22 06:06:00 1999 Path: biosci!ELLENSBURG.COM!digress From: digress@ELLENSBURG.COM (Mike Pearson) Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Re: Yes, we do need population control. Date: 22 Jun 1999 00:06:30 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 31 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <199906220504.WAA07857@larry.ellensburg.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net > From: treetop@newsguy.com (Treetop) > Subject: Yes, we do need population control. > Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 01:02:33 -0700 Treetop@newsguy wrote some responses: > So smarten up, you human beings. Listen to the Swami! At least one school of yoga agrees the "need" for a Swami is a cop-out. You are as old as the Universe, and responsibility is yours. > Utopia again! The "intellectual standard" that we should listen to > is that of the scientists of the world, not PROUT. Managers are needed. We the People need enough opinion leaders to know this information well enough to discuss it competently, not dismissively. > Oh yeah! I want to merge with the Supreme Consciousness! Where do I > sign up?? > > Sheesh. Writing your signature in the air should work with this type of Being, right? Mike Pearson http://www.ellensburg.com/~digress/bioart.htm From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Wed Jun 23 10:21:00 1999 Path: biosci!newshost.lanl.gov!awabi.library.ucla.edu!128.230.129.106!news.maxwell.syr.edu!dispose.news.demon.net!demon!newspeer.clara.net!news.clara.net!newsfeed.nacamar.de!rz.uni-karlsruhe.de!fu-berlin.de!server1.netnews.ja.net!hgmp.mrc.ac.uk!pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk!not-for-mail From: John Dawson Newsgroups: alt.bio.technology,bionet.population-bio,bionet.molbio.embldatabank,bionet.molbio.genbank Subject: mtDNA Concordance: info Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 12:21:38 +0100 Organization: none Message-ID: <3770C33F.70AA92B3@cam.ac.uk> Reply-To: JLD1@cam.ac.uk NNTP-Posting-Host: jld.sidg.pwf.cam.ac.uk Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.5 (Macintosh; I; PPC) X-Accept-Language: en Lines: 16 Xref: biosci bionet.population-bio:3176 bionet.molbio.embldatabank:1408 bionet.molbio.genbank:3311 The Mitochondrial DNA Concordance, situated at: http://shelob.bioanth.cam.ac.uk/mtDNA has not been updated for some time. The data on which it is based has now been handed over to the FBI in Washington, who are now in the process of updating the data. When the FBI data and searching methods are available, we will advertise the fact on these newsgroups, and also provide a link from the mtDNA Concordance web pages (which will remain on the web as long as they still seem useful). Please note that the information contained in the mtDNA Concordance is therefore somewhat out of date and incomplete. John Dawson University of Cambridge JLD1@cam.ac.uk From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Wed Jun 23 21:42:00 1999 Path: biosci!SOCRATES.BERKELEY.EDU!icelab From: icelab@SOCRATES.BERKELEY.EDU (Steven Lindow) Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Phyllosphere Microbiology Meeting Date: 23 Jun 1999 15:42:37 -0700 Organization: Plant and Microbial Biology Dept., University of California - Berkeley Lines: 158 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <3771621D.A8396AF3@socrates.berkeley.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net Dear Colleague, We are pleased to announce an upcoming meeting in phyllosphere microbiology. The 7th International Symposium on the Microbiology of the Aerial Plant Surfaces will be held in Berkeley, California, from August 3-8 2000. The conference center, located in the foothills of Berkeley, is an inexpensive yet pleasant setting for formal meetings and informal discussion. The conference site is also close to many interesting cultural and natural attractions in the San Francisco area and elsewhere in California. Hopefully, this interdisciplinary meeting will be of interest to you; please contact us as indicated below if you would like to be notified of further announcements. For more complete information and pre-registration form, please visit us at http://nature.berkeley.edu/P2000 MEETING DESCRIPTION This international conference will address the ecological role of the diverse microbiota of aerial plant surfaces, a microbiota which can include plant, animal, and even human pathogens, as well as microorganisms important in ecosystem processes. Basic aspects of microbial ecology such as gene exchange, habitat modification, and interactions of microbes with the hosts on which they live are often best examined in this system. An understanding of the interactions that occur among phyllosphere microbes and between these microbes and their host plants is essential for the development of rational strategies to manipulate these communities in ways that are beneficial to agriculture and other managed ecosystems. This conference will bring together researchers from the plant and the microbial side and will include the areas of plant pathology, mycology, bacteriology, aerobiology, micro-meteorology, biological control, plant physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, and microbial and plant molecular biology. The scientific program will include invited speakers, posters, and oral presentations to be chosen from submitted abstracts as well as round-table discussions to stimulate interactions. At least partial support to enable graduate students and others who would otherwise be unable to attend should be available. A web site with conference details and registration information is available on line at http://nature.berkeley.edu/P2000 or contact Steven Lindow, University of California, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, 111 Koshland Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3102. Phone: 510/642-4174, Fax: 510/642-4995, Email icelab@socrates.berkeley.edu PRELIMINARY PROGRAM • Session I : Leaf surface habitat description and visualizing organisms in situ Dr. T. Whitham (Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff) The leaf as an Island Resource Dr Gwyn Beattie (Iowa State University) Leaf surface waxes and the process of colonization of leaves by bacteria Dr. George Sundin (Texas A&M University) Ultraviolet radiation on leaves: its influence on microbial communites and their adaptations Dr. Wendy Mechaber (University of Arizona) Mapping uncharted territory: Nanoscale leaf surface topography Dr. John Andrews (University of Wisconsin) Adhesion of yeasts to plant surfaces • Session II : Description of leaf surface communities: autecology and synecology Dr. Robert McLean (SW Texas State University) The adaptive significance of microbial biofilms Dr. Cindy Morris (INRA, Avignon, France) Microbial biofilms on leaf surfaces Dr. Oliver Pruvost (Phytopathologie, Reunion, France) Population structure of Xanthomonads with endophytic and epiphytic phases Dr. Mark Bailey (Oxford University) Population dynamics, gene exchange and gene expression of bacteria in the phyllosphere Dr. Hey Leung (International Rice Research Institute) Population genetics of Xanthomonas oryzae on rice Dr. R. Belanger (University of Laval, Quebec, Canada) Ecological process occurring in leaf surface fungi • Session III : Microbial interactions on the leaf surface Dr. Chris Upper (University of Wisconsin) Significance of insects as vectors of bacteria to the leaf surface Dr. Susan Hirano (University of Wisconsin) Relationship between bacterial genes determining virulence and epiphytic fitness Dr. Martin Romantschuk (University of Helsinki) Adhesion to leaves as an epiphytic fitness determinant Dr. Charles Manceau (INRA, Angers, France) Endophytic vs epiphytic colonization of plants - what comes first? Dr. Steffan Kjelleberg (Univ. of New South Wales, Australia) Interference with quorum sensing of bacterial colonists of plants Dr. J. C. Polacco (University of Missouri) Methylobacterium endophytes in plants • Session IV : Biocontrol, biotechnology and applied microbiology Dr. Virginia Stockwell (Oregon State University) Microbiology of deciduous fruit flowers and the biological control of disease Dr. Trevor Suslow (University of California - Davis) Colonization of plants by human pathogens - approaches to food safety • Session V : Modelling, theory and quantification in phyllosphere microbiology Dr. Linda Kinkel (University of Minnesota) Modelling interactions between phylloplane microorganisms Dr. Don Aylor (Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station) Aerobiology of fungi in relation to capture and release by plants Dr. John Zak (Texas Tech - Lubbock) Implications of a leaf surface habitat for fungal community structure and function ---------------------------------------------------------------- Steven Lindow University of California - Berkeley Department of Plant and Microbial Biology 111 Koshland Hall Berkeley, CA 94720-3102. Phone: 510/642-4174 Fax: 510/642-4995 Email: icelab@socrates.berkeley.edu From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Thu Jun 24 12:19:00 1999 Path: biosci!news.stanford.edu!newsfeed.stanford.edu!news-feed.inet.tele.dk!bofh.vszbr.cz!newsfeed.tli.de!blackbush.xlink.net!EU.net!news0.Belgium.EU.net!newsr.Belgium.EU.net!not-for-mail From: "Jan Frijters" Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Re: Yes, we do need population control. Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 15:12:45 +0200 Organization: EUnet Belgium, Leuven, Belgium Lines: 3 Message-ID: <7ktaji$7b5$1@news3.Belgium.EU.net> References: <199906220504.WAA07857@larry.ellensburg.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: dialup090.hasselt.eunet.be X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2314.1300 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2314.1300 I agree completeley From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Thu Jun 24 22:46:00 1999 Path: biosci!newshost.lanl.gov!awabi.library.ucla.edu!128.32.206.55!newsfeed.berkeley.edu!news-out.uswest.net!paloalto-snf1.gtei.net!news.gtei.net!news.igc.apc.org!seaturtles From: seaturtles@igc.org (seaturtles@igc.org) Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: Action alert--GW Bush¹s must create marine reserve 4 endangered sea turtle Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 16:36:05 -0700 Organization: Sea Turtle Restoration Project Lines: 71 Sender: seaturtles@igc.apc.org Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: pppa36-resalesanrafael1-4r1017.saturn.bbn.com X-Newsreader: Yet Another NewsWatcher 2.2.0b6 Please excuse this somewhat specialized and somewhat off-topic messageŠ KEMP'S RIDLEY MARINE RESERVE NEEDED FOR THE MOST CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SEA TURTLE IN THE WORLD Dear Friend, The Sea Turtle Restoration Project and HEART (Help Endangered Animals- Ridley Turtles) published a full page ad in the New York Times today (6/23/99) targeting Texas Gov. Bush for not taking action to protect the endangered sea turtles in his state. We would greatly appreciate it you would PLEASE take 30 seconds to email the message below to Governor Bush at gwb@georgewbush.com Please cc your message to : texasturtles@hotmail.com -------------------------------- message follows ---------------- Dear Governor George W. Bush, Sea turtles are drowning in the nets of shrimp fishers by the hundreds. I urge you to sign an executive order and create a marine reserve that is off-limits to commercial shrimping along the coast of Padre Island, Texas. This is the perfect opportunity to save sea turtles and demonstrate to American voters that you will protect our remarkable natural heritage. Thank you for your attention to this very important issue. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE TO YOUR EMAIL LIST! For more information and to view the ad, see You can also phone, write or fax Bush at: Mailing Address Office of the Governor P.O. Box 12428 Austin, Texas 78711-2428 Phone Citizens' Assistance and Opinion Line: 512-463-1782 (for use of Austin, Texas and out-of-state callers) Governor's Office Main Switchboard: 512-463-2000 Fax 512-463-1849 THANKS IN ADVANCE! Other ways to help is get your friends, colleagues, etc. to send the message. If you have a personal or work related email list, send this message to them. Sea Turtle Restoration Project seaturtles@igc.org www.seaturtles.org ph. 415 488 0370 From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Fri Jun 25 01:19:00 1999 Path: biosci!321MEDIA.COM!debbiep From: debbiep@321MEDIA.COM ("Marcus") Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: FREE E-COMMERCE Date: 24 Jun 1999 19:19:40 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 53 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <199906250215.EAA18289@mail.compharm.co.za> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net FREE E-COMMERCE IF YOU HOST WITH US!! 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Request our free E-mail information by replying to: mailto:jeejr@coolmail.com?subject=INFO_PLEASE ********************************************************************* Remove at mailto:petlm@hotbot.com?subject=remove ********************************************************************* From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Mon Jun 28 01:27:00 1999 Path: biosci!rutgers!nntp.upenn.edu!newsserver.jvnc.net!209.130.129.214!nntp.frontiernet.net!nntp.primenet.com!nuq-peer.news.verio.net!uunet!lax.uu.net!dfw.uu.net!chi.uu.net!news.esoterica.pt!not-for-mail From: DrCursor Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio Subject: New Site about East Timor Date: 28 Jun 1999 03:17:30 GMT Organization: Esoterica, SA Lines: 12 Message-ID: <930539849.926257@nurn.esoterica.pt> NNTP-Posting-Host: nurn.esoterica.pt Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Trace: anubis.esoterica.pt 930539850 3911 195.22.0.167 (28 Jun 1999 03:17:30 GMT) X-Complaints-To: news@esoterica.pt NNTP-Posting-Date: 28 Jun 1999 03:17:30 GMT Cache-Post-Path: nurn.esoterica.pt!unknown@trn006.esoterica.pt X-Cache: nntpcache 2.3.3 (see http://www.nntpcache.org/) Visite http://drcursor.cjb.net , a nova pagina sobre Timor, 25 de Abril e politica nacional em geral. Nesta pagina podera livremente deixar textos , e/ou imagens que deseje ver on-line. See http://drcursor.cjb.net , a new page about East-Timor, and politics... You can publish your own texts or images in this site. drcursor@leirianet.pt From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Mon Jun 28 14:55:00 1999 Path: biosci!news.stanford.edu!newsfeed.stanford.edu!logbridge.uoregon.edu!newspeer1.nac.net!news.maxwell.syr.edu!nntp2.deja.com!nnrp1.deja.com!not-for-mail From: jim137@my-deja.com Newsgroups: bionet.population-bio,alt.bio,alt.biology,bionet.biology Subject: Biology Bible Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 15:40:10 GMT Organization: no organization Lines: 14 Message-ID: <7l850o$k0j$1@nnrp1.deja.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: 146.203.100.8 X-Article-Creation-Date: Mon Jun 28 15:40:10 1999 GMT X-Http-User-Agent: Mozilla/4.03 [en] (Win95; I) X-Http-Proxy: 1.0 x30.deja.com:80 (Squid/1.1.22) for client 146.203.100.8 I have just finished reading a science book that I would like to recommend to subscribers of this newsgroup. The book is called "The Bible According to Einstein". It has some wonderful chapters on biology. 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From owner-population-bio@net.bio.net Tue Jun 29 20:27:00 1999 Path: biosci!newshost.lanl.gov!logbridge.uoregon.edu!newsfeed.stanford.edu!ediacara.org!there.is.no.cabal From: "z@z" Newsgroups: talk.origins,bionet.population-bio Subject: Re: Population - The Demographic Saturation Theory Date: 29 Jun 1999 17:13:25 -0400 Organization: Swisscom IP+ (post doesn't reflect views of Swisscom) Lines: 294 Approved: robomod@ediacara.org Message-ID: <7lbdc9$h1g$1@pollux.ip-plus.net> References: <19990629103718.19227.00002699@ng-fl1.aol.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: darwin.ediacara.org X-Trace: pollux.ip-plus.net 930691273 17456 194.183.134.105 (29 Jun 1999 21:21:13 GMT) X-Complaints-To: news@ip-plus.net NNTP-Posting-Date: 29 Jun 1999 21:21:13 GMT X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2014.211 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2014.211 The Demographic Saturation Theory (Author: Wolfgang Gottfried G.) Most remarkable aspects of the postwar world demographic evolution are: 1) Rapid demographic transition (mortality decline, followed after a variable interval by fertility decline) not only in the developed countries but meanwhile even in many of the poorest countries. 2) Postwar baby booms in the OECD, followed by very low fertility after 1970. 3) Population decline in many East European countries after the collapse of the 'communist system' because of high mortality, low fertility and migration (for example to Germany, Israel and to the U.S.A.). 4) Globally speaking, rates of population growth much lower than expected with the highest rates of growth in the poorest countries. Demographic projections over more than 10 years were often shown to be worthless. 1) The projections for the developed countries of the 1960s were refuted by the rapid fertility decline. Instead of exponential growth it came to astonishingly constant population figures. 2) In the 1970s hardly any demographer did predict the already beginning fertility decline in China. It was generally accepted that government interventions cannot have much influence on fertility. 3) As late as in 1992 the UN projected that the population of the (former) Soviet Union would continue to grow until 416 million (according to the 'medium variant', the most probable scenario). But the last years revealed that this prediction is pure speculation. 4) The ongoing fertility decline even in the poorest countries refutes projections made few years ago. 5) The population decrease which was predicted for some Euopean countries as Germany did not take place. Instead the populations of the respective countries increased because of migration. A basic premise of modern demography is that the worldwide fertility decline depends exclusively (or at least at a large degree) on conscious decisions of man and women. Modern demography, as Charles Darwin's evolution theory, is based in many respects on the philosophy of Robert Malthus: According to the saturation thesis, which is relevant not only to humans but to all organisms, at least in the short term the species could not increase substantially beyond the original number. In the long term however, the species could increase at the expense of other related (extinct) species. The strongest argument against the saturation thesis seems to be the demographic evolution of mankind. There are even estimates, that more people are alive today than ever have died. But apart from the problem, when the human species first appeared, such estimates are based on untenable assumptions. Until not too long ago (in western society) all human beings were thought to descend from one single couple, which lived several thousands years ago (a modern variant: Mitochondrial Eve). The idea of an ever growing world population is deeply rooted. The theory of evolution of Charles Darwin excludes a continuous evolution of larger populations (despite the fact that such continuous evolutions occur) and for this reason supports the thesis of a little starting population of mankind (and of the races). The last fifty years show on the one hand that an annual rate of population growth of 3% is not exceptional, if surviving conditions are favourable. They show on the other hand, how fast growth rates can change by increasing or decreasing. An annual growth rate of about 3% leads to a population 20 times as large in one century and to a population 3 million times as large in only 5 centuries. For this reason it is, in principle, impossible to find the past evolution of world population by means of projections. (Such projections have to assume average rates of growth close to zero, which is not very realistic.) The argument that only agriculture and other technological progress made possible an earth's carrying capacity of more than for example 100 million people, has no scientific basis at all. Bangladesh, for example, with less than 0.1% of the Earth's land surface has a population of more than 100 million. Thousands of years ago the Sahara was fertile. A very fertile Sahara could feed the current world population. There are no methods to calculate the population densities using archaeological data such as bones, manufactured objects or other traces. The population figures of the recent past which are thought as valid are often based on figures of historic documents, whose reliability cannot be out of question, considering the problems of census even in the age of computers and modern means of transport. If the proportion of the registered population raises from 65% to 95%, this alone seems to be a population increase of almost 50%. After registration of births and deaths became compulsory in many countries, certainly births were more likely reported than the deaths of not registered persons. In the same way as the temporarily strong increase in 'HIV-positiveness' in many regions also has been caused by an increase in HIV-testing, a major part of the 'increase in world population' before 1950 and a smaller part after 1950 only has been the result of better census and estimates. It is much more likely to underestimate than to overestimate the size of a population. Because too low figures of past estimates can always be explained by the expected population growth, there has never been any reason to doubt theses figures. Even if in Africa the registered population of conurbations grows very fast, one must not overlook that the not registered population of the huge hinterland can decrease at the same time. Many demographers suppose that fertility will level out everywhere at 2.1 births per woman. They argue that only this fertility can guarantee a constant population and it is an empirical fact that after the so-called demographic transition the population of a country or a region remains rather constant (without migration). This reasoning is strange, because after demographic transition, fertility rate is much lower than 2.1 births per woman in most countries despite a constant population. The European countries show that the number of birth correlates much stronger with the number of deaths than with the number of women in reproductive age. The more women in reproductive age and the less deaths, the lower is fertility. Just the countries with the high birth rates in the 1960s and 1970s such as Spain, Italy and Germany have now very low fertility, while fertility in Scandinavian countries (a steady population pyramid with a high proportion of old people) is relatively high. In 1997, Sweden had 10.8 deaths and 11.4 births per 1000 persons (U.S. Census Bureau) and a fertility rate of 1.7, while Spain had a rate of 9.5 deaths and 9.4 births, but a fertility rate of only 1.2. In 1995, in the European Union the number of births surpassed the number of deaths by just under 300'000 and the population grew by just under 0.1% (without immigration). Despite this slight population increase the fertility rate was only 1.4 births per woman. Every classification of people into groups such as races, nations or social groups is in some respect arbitrary. Nevertheless for the correct presentation of the demographic saturation theory it is useful to classify mankind into not exactly specified populations, which are more or less related. In principle a saturation value can be attributed to all these populations. A saturation value of 30% means that 30 percent of the individuals of the corresponding population are physically existent or that the souls attributed to this population are alive on average 30 out of 100 years. The question whether life begins at procreation, at birth or at some other time shall be left open. For the populations of Europe, North America, Japan and some other countries, the saturation value meanwhile amounts to almost 100 percent. These populations can increase further only at the expense of other populations. The population of the USA increases because of immigration and an excess of births over deaths. It increases at the expense of Latin American and East European populations. As the Latin American population is not yet saturated, the out-migration of a part of the population is not noticeable. But as the East European population is saturated, the out-migration (of physical persons and human souls) can be noticed by declining population figures. For the partially large excesses of deaths over births in Eastern Europe there are further reasons: 1) Collapse of the public health sector, which reduces the saturation value. 2) The desire for children is generally weakened by pessimism. To sum up: Yet at the turn of the last millennium, the Arabian area was leading in science, philosophy and culture. While the European population was increasing, deserts were expanding in North Africa and South East Asia. An indicator of near saturation of a population is a decline in birthrate despite an increase in women in reproductive age. If one knows the respective saturation values for all regions of the world, it is possible to calculate the limit, up to which world population can grow (in the short and medium term). The saturation values can be estimated by considering population pyramids and other demographic data in comparison with the data of yet saturated populations. If the calculations resulted in a saturation value of 77% for the 1997 world population, it would follow a maximum number of 7.5 billion humans. During the millions of years of human evolution, human population regionally as well as globally alternated between growth and decline. It could be the first time in history that human population is saturated in many regions of the world, by which the limitation of human souls becomes obvious. It is quite probable that the current saturation value is the highest ever reached. In Europe the demographic transition lasted for several centuries. The survival rate increased by technological and social progress (above all in health care). The saturation value was increasing more or less continuously (apart from wars and other catastrophic events). Many developing countries got the benefit of social and medical progress only after the reconstruction after World War II. A country whose saturation value has been oscillating at about 30% for centuries can reach saturation in less than half a century by reducing mortality. After having reached saturation, fertility reaches a minimum, because a high proportion of women in reproductive age is confronted with very low mortality. In many of the poorest countries the decline in fertility will follow the decrease in mortality with higher velocity and intensity than it was observed in Europe and some Asian and South American countries. And if life expectancy continues to rise, fertility after saturation will become extremely low. The relationship between poverty and fertiliy (which is no longer well established) is not direct but indirect. The poorer and less educated populations are, the higher is their mortality and the lower their saturation value. Because they are the last who get the benefit of the technological and medical progress, they are the last who reach saturation. Also in Europe fertility among the poorest groups was the last to decline. The population of a country is composed of groups which have different saturation values or have reached saturation at different times. The groups having reached saturation at first, are the first with very low (sub-replacement) fertility, but they will also be the first whose fertility will increase again because of population aging. For this reason, in some countries with low fertility, more educated groups with higher incomes should have higher fertility than less educated groups with lower incomes. The saturation thesis is relevant not only to humans but to all organisms. It can hardly be denied that many animal populations remain rather constant in size without extreme Malthusian struggles for survival. There are also limits on animal breeding and plant cultivation. There is even a saturation for pathogens like bacteria and viruses. A pathogen of a local epidemic cannot be a threat to mankind, nor can genetically engineered pathogens. New methods to fight pests become possible: On the one hand the pests are fighted where they are harmful, and on the other hand they are breeded to saturation in places where they don't do any harm. Cheers, Wolfgang Further info: http://members.lol.li/twostone/E/evidence.html#demography