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The rapid rate of technological innovation in computing has created a challenge in many areas of the law, particularly in the field of copyright. Since technology is now inextricably linked with modem life, the laws governing this field must catch up. Part II of this Article reviews the relevant history of computers and computer programming. Part III of this Article analyzes the current state of copyright law and the copyrightability of computer code, as exemplified by Oracle v. Google. Part IV of this Article critiques the disposition of that case by the Federal Circuit and clarifies the need for Congress or the Supreme Court to provide clarity in this increasingly convoluted, complex area of the law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Movement of transposons causes insertions, deletions, and chromosomal rearrangements potentially leading to premature lethality in Drosophila melanogaster. To repress these elements and combat genomic instability, eukaryotes have evolved several small RNA-mediated defense mechanisms. Specifically, in Drosophila somatic cells, endogenous small interfering (esi)RNAs suppress retrotransposon mobility. EsiRNAs are produced by Dicer-2 processing of double-stranded RNA precursors, yet the origins of these precursors are unknown. We show that most transposon families are transcribed in both the sense (S) and antisense (AS) direction in Dmel-2 cells. LTR retrotransposons Dm297, mdg1, and blood, and non-LTR retrotransposons juan and jockey transcripts, are generated from intraelement transcription start sites with canonical RNA polymerase II promoters. We also determined that retrotransposon antisense transcripts are less polyadenylated than sense. RNA-seq and small RNA-seq revealed that Dicer-2 RNA interference (RNAi) depletion causes a decrease in the number of esiRNAs mapping to retrotransposons and an increase in expression of both S and AS retrotransposon transcripts. These data support a model in which double-stranded RNA precursors are derived from convergent transcription and processed by Dicer-2 into esiRNAs that silence both sense and antisense retrotransposon transcripts. Reduction of sense retrotransposon transcripts potentially lowers element-specific protein levels to prevent transposition. This mechanism preserves genomic integrity and is especially important for Drosophila fitness because mobile genetic elements are highly active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the popularity of Twitter among fans and producers of popular culture, putting emphasis on the sensation around NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski's tweets from the 2012 Daytona 500. It argues that the social networking site offers the impression of a more real experience than what is available through the consumption of traditional media outlets. It notes that the desire for such direct information from an athlete speaks for a more real experience in sports media.

The article focuses on the development of an international aviation system in Australia based on bilateral negotiations between States. Topics discussed include the historical overview of the Chicago Convention, the development of Australia's regulation of foreign ownership in domestic and international aviation and the legislation that has codified the concepts of substantial ownership and effective control of airlines in Australian law. It describes the national aviation policy statement.

This article assesses the impact of diaspora communities (defined as transnational populations that play an active role in both home and adoptive societies simultaneously) on instability and insecurity in their home countries, and contributes some preliminary thoughts on the potential for diaspora communities to contribute to peace building there. Haitian and Jamaican diasporas are presented as case studies. The article explores the nature of 'conflict' in both countries using two analytical lenses, one drawing on traditional theories of peace and conflict found in the relevant literature, and another from the views of diaspora members themselves. Taken together, the two perspectives identify a range of 'drivers' perpetuating persistent low-intensity violence, crime, and corruption in both countries. The study then identifies a variety of positive contributions that diaspora populations can and do make to their countries of origin, including through remittance flows, community-based NGOs, entrepreneurial endeavours, knowledge transfer, and political entrepreneurship. However, the study also suggests that a number of factors at the societal and national levels, such as national policy frameworks for diaspora engagement, significantly condition the extent and effectiveness of diaspora involvement. Clearly, Haiti and Jamaica's common status as small island developing states has resulted in some similarity in the two countries' diaspora experiences. Nevertheless, the unique socio-political and economic realities of each country have profoundly influenced the nature and magnitude of diaspora-home country relations. Moreover, these relations tend to be both complex in nature and ambiguous in effect, and further rigorous analysis is needed to clarify the causal relationships between each country's socio-economic stability and the activities of their respective diaspora communities. Such research will facilitate the development of more effective ways to encourage positive diaspora engagement, especially in states with a history of conflict and/or civil violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquiring reliable estimates for an elusive species' distribution and population size can be problematic. For cryptic species such as the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), traditional monitoring approaches rely heavily on identifying field signs that may under or overestimate population sizes. Increasingly, non-invasive genetic sampling is effectively applied to assess the abundance and population structure of otters by genotyping faeces (spraints). Here we present the results of a non-invasive survey conducted in Cork City, Ireland, which aimed to estimate otter population size, sex ratio and genetic diversity. We incorporated a citizen science approach by training members of the public in spraint collection, thus increasing our search effort and sample detection rate. From October 2011 to May 2012, 199 spraints were collected and 187 (94%) were genetically identified as otter. Of these positive otter samples, 13 spraints (7%) yielded genetic information identifying 11 individuals (5 female and 6 male) using nine microsatellite loci. The results indicate that the urban environment does not prevent otters from using the area and we consider the implications based upon contemporary knowledge on otter spatial behaviour. This study demonstrates that non-invasive survey techniques combined with a citizen science approach can effectively reveal otter population parameters and increase urban otter awareness within the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene model for the ortholog of Phosphatase and tensin homolog ( Pten ) in the D. miranda Apr. 2013 (UC Berkeley DroMir_2.2/DmirGB2) Genome Assembly (GenBank Accession: GCA_000269505.2 ) of Drosophila miranda . This ortholog was characterized as part of a developing dataset to study the evolution of the Insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway (IIS) across the genus Drosophila using the Genomics Education Partnership gene annotation protocol for Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present., (Copyright: © 2024 by the authors.)