Transfer of Technology and Devloping Nations

In light of the fact that the considerable diplomatic efforts that have been made toward the promulgation of an international code of conduct on the transfer of technology that might soon be crowned with success, this Article examines the so called technology development debate. It considers some of the reasons for the determination of developing countries to obtain a commitment from the industrialized countires to adhere to a code of conduct. The Article attempts to evaluate the likley success that the unfettered access of developing countries to advanced technologies will have in promoting economic development. It also identifies some unintended negative consequences that this access might produce. Finally, the Article examines a number of alternative strategems for the technological transformation of developing countries

Price Discrimination Laws: An Economic Perspective

The often criticized price discrimination control laws are examined in this article. The author considers a number of economic analyses of price discrimination in its various forms. He compares the response of the Congress of the United States-the Robinson-Patman Act-with price discrimination control laws of other countries. He concludes the article with the presentation of an example that appears to have benefitted from the experience of many nations in their attempts to limit price discrimination

Protecting the Spiritual Beliefs of Indigenous Peoples—Australian Case Studies

This article examines the extent to which the spiritual beliefs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are protected under current Australian law. The first significant recognition by the High Court of Australia of the legal rights of indigenous peoples was in relation to native title over real property. As those peoples define their status and society by reference to their relationship with the land, this article considers the ultimately unsuccessful attempt to protect their spiritual beliefs as an incident of native title law. It reviews a line of intellectual property cases which have been a more fruitful source of protection, as well as the possibilities of the protection of the spiritual beliefs of indigenous peoples under racial vilification laws. With changes to the Australian Constitution to recognize the particular rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples currently under consideration, the article concludes with the speculation that specific Federal legislation could achieve the protection of their spiritual beliefs

Covert International Intellectual Property Legislation: The Ignoble Origins of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)

Article published in the Michigan State International Law Review

Intellectual property, traditional knowledge and genetic resources / Michael Blakeney

Article 19 of the November 2001 Doha Declaration instructed the Council for TRIPS (Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 1994), in pursuing its work programme concerning both its review of Article 27.3(b) and its general review of the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement under Article 71.1, "to examine, inter alia, the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity, the protection of traditional knowledge and folklore, and other relevant new developments raised by Members pursuant to Article 71.1"

Robotics in total hip arthroplasty: current concepts

This current concepts article reviews the literature pertaining to the use of robot-assisted systems in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The bulk of the literature is regarding the MAKO (currently the most used system worldwide) and the historic ROBODOC robotic systems. There is a paucity of literature available on other systems, with several still in pilot-phase development. Whilst the evidence shows improved radiological outcomes with robotic THA, functional outcomes are equivocal between conventional and robotic techniques. Acceptance of robotic THA worldwide is limited by its accessibility including cost, and by already exceptional results with the conventional technique. It is, however, a rapidly developing area of orthopaedic surgery. This article discusses the history of robotics in THA, current surgical techniques, functional and radiological outcomes, and ongoing avenues for development

Characterization of Antibodies against Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1 (RAMP1): A Cautionary Tale

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a key component of migraine pathophysiology, yielding effective migraine therapeutics. CGRP receptors contain a core accessory protein subunit: receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1). Understanding of RAMP1 expression is incomplete, partly due to the challenges in identifying specific and validated antibody tools. We profiled antibodies for immunodetection of RAMP1 using Western blotting, immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry, including using RAMP1 knockout mouse tissue. Most antibodies could detect RAMP1 in Western blotting and immunocytochemistry using transfected cells. Two antibodies (844, ab256575) could detect a RAMP1-like band in Western blots of rodent brain but not RAMP1 knockout mice. However, cross-reactivity with other proteins was evident for all antibodies. This cross-reactivity prevented clear conclusions about RAMP1 anatomical localization, as each antibody detected a distinct pattern of immunoreactivity in rodent brain. We cannot confidently attribute immunoreactivity produced by RAMP1 antibodies (including 844) to the presence of RAMP1 protein in immunohistochemical applications in brain tissue. RAMP1 expression in brain and other tissues therefore needs to be revisited using RAMP1 antibodies that have been comprehensively validated using multiple strategies to establish multiple lines of convincing evidence. As RAMP1 is important for other GPCR/ligand pairings, our results have broader significance beyond the CGRP field

Interaction forces between particles stabilized by a hydrophobically modified inulin surfactant.

Submitted versio