A burning question: Is mouth or computer hottest pepper judge?

Article Abstract:

High-pressure liquid chromatography is used to analyze concentrations of capsaicin, which is the chemical in hot peppers that gives them their heat. For many years, scientists and food companies used what is called the Scoville scale, invented by W.L. Scoville in 1912, to measure the 'heat' in a pepper's taste. Some defend Scoville's method, saying that measuring a pepper's taste is more an art than a science and noting that 'a computer can analyze, but only a human can taste.' But Scoville's tests depend on the human palate, and in recent years, some have questioned the accuracy and subjectivity of that measure. Thus it happened that a computerized method for measuring capsaicin was developed. Tom Burns, representing the American Spice Trade Association, endorses computerized chromatography: 'Chromatography,' he says, 'is impartial.' Burns hopes for a worldwide standard and vocabulary.

Food preparations, not elsewhere classified, Research, Analysis, Evaluation, Officials and employees, Biochemistry, Food, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Composition, Detection equipment, Chemoreceptors, Sensory evaluation, Flavor, Capsaicin, Piper nigrum, Pepper, Senses and sensation, Senses, Chemical senses, Chemoreception, Hot peppers, Sensor, Detectors, American Spice Trade Association, Burns, Tom

---

Supreme court to transmit decisions by computer

Article Abstract:

The Supreme Court will undertake a two-year pilot program to allow its decisions to be made public via a computerized transmission service. The service, called Project Hermes, will be available at an annual subscription rate of about $500 per year. Subscribers are expected to be law firms, media organizations and legal publishers. Those groups would act as primary distributors, who would in turn disseminate the information through computer networks. Currently, the Supreme Court's decisions are made available through an antiquated process of queueing at the Court for one of the few printed copies of the decision. The system is expected to use a personal computer with a floppy disk drive and a modem. The subscribers will bear the cost of the system.

Courts, United States, Innovations, Federal courts, Information services, Legal research, Data communications, Telecommunications transmission technologies, United States. Supreme Court, A.B.A., National Government, Pilot Project, Court Cases

---

Tracking trains by computer

Article Abstract:

The railroad industry is using computers to reduce labor costs and improve service. A consortium of American and Canadian railroads is developing a communications systems which will link trains with dispatching centers. Radio transponders placed under 200,000 miles of track will relay signals from passing trains to computers, enabling dispatchers to precisely determine the speed and location of trains. Computers installed onboard trains will inform engineers of track and engine conditions and will improve communication between trains and dispatching centers. The automation of dispatching functions has significantly reduced the number of employees required to monitor a train's journey.

Railroads, Technology application, Transportation, Automation, Labor costs, Railroad Industry, Dispatching Systems

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: She's determined that everyone gets a chance. Do computers help children learn? What we can do about drugs
• Abstracts: Strained relations. Southerly change
• Abstracts: Make tax filing easy. Smart ways to cut college costs
• Abstracts: Jiang speaks out. Doha talks sail past year-end deadline. Mondale greeted by Deng at start of his visit to China
• Abstracts: A pointed Nobel: two East Timor activists share the Peace Prize. Emasculated mission to the East

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.