42 AI MAGAZINE ■ The 1993–95 period presented various “identity challenges” to the field of AI and to AAAI as a leading scientific society for the field. The euphoric days of the mid-1980s AI boom were over, various expectations of those times had not been met, and there was continuing concern about an AI “winter.” The major challenge of these years was to chart a path for AI, designed and endo...

FOREWORD During the last fifteen years, Bolivia has carried out a broad program of structural reforms centered on achieving greater macroeconomic discipline and a more efficient and smaller state. Radical changes swept across the national political and economic landscape. All these reforms have had a decisive influence on the forestry sector. New laws and regulations affecting forest resources ...

Experimental exclusion of the Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) from shallow water areas of a salt lake in the Bolivian Andes caused large increases in the biomass of microorganisms inhabiting the surface sediments, especially a large diatom (Surirella wetzeli), amebas, ciliates, and nematodes. This is a conservative demonstration of the influences that water birds in general exert on th...

Four multiplex PCR assays for detection of 19 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) colonization factors and an improved ETEC toxin multiplex PCR were developed and tested on Bangladeshi and Bolivian ETEC strain collections. The assays will be useful for surveillance of ETEC infections in diagnostic laboratories that have access to PCR.

The merchant was new in the valley and had built two sheds to collect firewood for sale in the winter. Since he was new in the area, he had no idea how cold the winter would be. So he sent his apprentice up the mountain to talk to the hermit, who knew a lot about nature. The apprentice came back all fired up: "Boss, the hermit says the winter will be very cold!" "Good," thought the merchant. "L...