Boron Nitride Monolayer: A Strain-Tunable Nanosensor

The influence of triaxial in-plane strain on the electronic properties of a hexagonal boron-nitride sheet is investigated using density functional theory. Different from graphene, the triaxial strain localizes the molecular orbitals of the boron-nitride flake in its center depending on the direction of the applied strain. The proposed technique for localizing the molecular orbitals that are close to the Fermi level in the center of boron nitride flakes can be used to actualize engineered nanosensors, for instance, to selectively detect gas molecules. We show that the central part of the strained flake adsorbs polar molecules more strongly as compared with an unstrained sheet.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figure

Approaches, Strategies and Theoretical and Practice-Based Research Methods to investigate and archive video art:Some reflections from the REWIND projects

This paper will discuss methodologies, approaches and issues, emerging out of three major research projects that have investigated early histories of video art in Europe: REWIND (2004 ongoing), REWINDItalia (2011-2014) and EWVA (2015-2018). The paper will discuss how the projects have engaged with the history of the apparatus, the identity and status of the artworks, preservation methods, and the legacy of these video artworks today. A particular focus will be on semi-structured questionnaires for interviews structured to capture oral histories, memories and recollections, that in some cases would have been otherwise lost to future knowledge and the uncovering of lost artworks and their available documentation. The speakers directly involved in the projects - will discuss solutions, risks and experiences encountered in the projects and future research perspectives for re-covering, collecting, archiving and narrating the histories of early video art in Europe. The paper will discuss also different practice-based research methods, platforms and engagement strategies, including re-installation and re-enactment

I diritti di proprietà intellettuale applicabili alla cultura indigena e tradizionale

Il lavoro prende spunto dalla considerazione di come sia difficile adattare i tradizionali i titoli di privativa previsti dalle norme internazionali in vigore alle esigenze delle utilizzazione delle norme sui caratteristiche delle realtà indigene, e come una tutela troppo spinta a favore dei titolari di brevetti o di copyright possa al contrario pregiudicare il perseguimento di nell'obiettivo di interessi fondamentali dell'umanità, come quello di preservare le risorse naturali e la diversificazione della cultura. E' dunque possibile individuare delle eccezioni alla applicabilità delle norme sulle privative e, al tempo stesso, dei sistemi di brevettabilità sui generis a favore della cultura tradizionale. In questo contesto assumono un ruolo determinante le organizzazioni internazionali universali nella elaborazione di una normativa a tutela della cultura indigena e le normative nazionali che subordinano la brevettazione al rispetto di regole quali la trasparenza e il previo consenso allo sfruttamento delle risorse locali

Traditional knowledge. Cultural heritage or intellectual property?

The international rules for the protection of intellectual property, codified in the TRIPs agreement (=the agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) do not seem fit to address the complexity of the indigenous phenomenon and, specially, the protection of traditional knowledge (TK). The problem emerged during the Rio Conference of 1990, which adopted, among others, Principle n. 22, according to which “indigenous peoples and their communities […] have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their knowledge and traditional practices”. In fact, the rules on copyright or patents are mainly focused on providing an inventor an adequate economic reward, besides legal and effective remedies against unfair use of the products of the innovation, while other aspects, as the need to grant the use of land and natural resources - i.e. elements concurring in the social and cultural identity of the local communities- are not taken into account. From this point of view, the rewards granted to those who purchase indigenous resources or know-how, raise a serious concern, because they have a role in depriving indigenous communities of any control on their native land, and negatively impact on the sound use of natural resources. The analysis focuses the approach followed by the International Organizations where problems relating to TK protection are debated, first of all within the WTO-TRIPs system and other organizations belonging to the United Nations system, where the need has been highlighted to grant local communities unlimited access to genetic resources, to save the traditional context and practices and prevent misappropriation of cultural expressions. In this respect, reference is also made to the drafting of an “advanced text” within the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee to accelerate progress in the protection of TK. The incorporation of some legal safeguards into the TRIPs and in some bilateral trade and investment agreements, though showing a positive tendency towards reducing the pressure on countries providing genetic resources and giving more weight to the cultural heritage dimension, does not feature a sui generis system at the international level, whose principles would prevail over intellectual property rights

Competenza per connessione in cause con pluralità di convenuti nel sistema giudiziario europeo

L'articolo prende in esame il criterio della connessione contemplato dall'art. 6 del Reg. 44/2001 dell'Unione europea (cd. Bruxelles I), sulla competenza giurisdizionale e il riconoscimento delle sentenze in materia civile e commerciale. L'applicazione del criterio della connessione comporta una valutazione talvolta non semplice del nesso tra le cause, che va effettuata tenendo conto dell'obiettivo fondamentale del coordinamento tra le giurisdizioni degli Stati dell'UE