Culpa in Contrahendo in European Private International Law: Another Look at Article 12 of the Rome II Regulation

Precontractual liability is liability that arises out of a harmful conduct that occurs during the formation period of a contract. Where the harmful conduct occurs during international negotiations, a conflict of laws issue arises. The determination of the applicable law to precontractual liability can be a complex and tedious task, which is why the European Legislature has provided a special conflict-of-law rule in Article 12 of the Rome II Regulation on the applicable law to non-contractual obligations. Through this provision, the European Legislature aims to achieve uniformity between EU Member States, while providing an appropriate conflicts rule. The present essay assesses the European Legislature’s attempt at codification and offers a commentary of Article 12 of the Rome II Regulation. It comes at a time when the Commission is scheduled to submit a report on the application of the Rome II Regulation to the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Economic and Social Committee. This essay will show that the Legislature has displaced the traditional rules of European private international law by adopting a contractual connecting factor in order to determine the applicable law to a non-contractual obligation. Indeed, the European Legislature has, for the purposes of European private international law, chosen to characterize culpa in contrahendo as non-contractual, but has chosen to determine the applicable law to this non-contractual obligation on the basis of a contractual connecting factor. Thus, Article 12(1) of the Rome II Regulation has, in fact, chosen to submit claims arising out of culpa in contrahendo to the lex contractus in negotio. According to this provision, the applicable law to claims arising out of culpa in contrahendo is the law of the contract that was under negotiation. In spite of its advantages, the rule provided by Article 12 of the Rome II Regulation lacks flexibility. The lack of escape devices and the relative inapplicability of the second paragraph of Article 12 of the Rome II Regulation make this rule a rigid one whose application cannot be displaced whenever it reaches inappropriate results

Maghemite nanoparticles bearing di(amidoxime) groups for the extraction of uranium from wastewaters

Polyamidoximes (pAMD) are known to have strong affinities for uranyl cations. Grafting pAMD onto the surface of functionalized maghemite nanoparticles (MNP) leads to a nanomaterial with high capacities in the extraction of uranium from wastewaters by magnetic sedimentation. A diamidoxime (dAMD) specifically synthesized for this purpose showed a strong affinity for uranyl: Ka = 105 M-1 as determined by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (nano-ITC). The dAMD was grafted onto the surface of MNP and the obtained sorbent (MNP-dAMD) was characterized. The nanohybrids were afterward incubated with different concentrations of uranyl and the solid phase recovered by magnetic separation. This latter was characterized by zeta-potential measurements, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), whereas the supernatant was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma coupled to Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). All the data fitted the models of Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms very well. These isotherms allowed us to evaluate the efficiency of the adsorption of uranium by MNP-dAMD. The saturation sorption capacity (qmax) was determined. It indicates that MNP-dAMD is able to extract up to 120 mg of uranium per gram of sorbent. Spherical aberration (Cs)-corrected High-Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRSTEM) confirmed these results and clearly showed that uranium is confined at the surface of the sorbent. Thus, MNP-dAMD presents a strong potential for the extraction of uranium from wastewaters

Knockout of Slo2.2 enhances itch, abolishes KNa current, and increases action potential firing frequency in DRG neurons

Two mammalian genes, Kcnt1 and Kcnt2, encode pore-forming subunits of Na(+)-dependent K(+) (K(Na)) channels. Progress in understanding K(Na) channels has been hampered by the absence of specific tools and methods for rigorous K(Na) identification in native cells. Here, we report the genetic disruption of both Kcnt1 and Kcnt2, confirm the loss of Slo2.2 and Slo2.1 protein, respectively, in KO animals, and define tissues enriched in Slo2 expression. Noting the prevalence of Slo2.2 in dorsal root ganglion, we find that KO of Slo2.2, but not Slo2.1, results in enhanced itch and pain responses. In dissociated small diameter DRG neurons, KO of Slo2.2, but not Slo2.1, abolishes K(Na) current. Utilizing isolectin B4+ neurons, the absence of K(Na) current results in an increase in action potential (AP) firing and a decrease in AP threshold. Activation of K(Na) acts as a brake to initiation of the first depolarization-elicited AP with no discernible effect on afterhyperpolarizations. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10013.00

Prediction of the survival and functional ability of severe stroke patients after ICU therapeutic intervention

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study evaluated the benefits and impact of ICU therapeutic interventions on the survival and functional ability of severe cerebrovascular accident (CVA) patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-two ICU patients suffering from severe ischemic/haemorrhagic stroke were evaluated for CVA severity using APACHE II and the Glasgow coma scale (GCS). Survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier survival tables and survival prediction factors were determined by Cox multivariate analysis. Functional ability was assessed using the stroke impact scale (SIS-16) and Karnofsky score. Risk factors, life support techniques and neurosurgical interventions were recorded. One year post-CVA dependency was investigated using multivariate analysis based on linear regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The study cohort constituted 6% of all CVA (37.8% haemorrhagic/62.2% ischemic) admissions. Patient mean(SD) age was 65.8(12.3) years with a 1:1 male: female ratio. During the study period 16 patients had died within the ICU and seven in the year following hospital release.</p> <p>The mean(SD) APACHE II score at hospital admission was 14.9(6.0) and ICU mean duration of stay was 11.2(15.4) days. Mechanical ventilation was required in 37.1% of cases. Risk ratios were; GCS at admission 0.8(0.14), (p = 0.024), APACHE II 1.11(0.11), (p = 0.05) and duration of mechanical ventilation 1.07(0.07), (p = 0.046). Linear coefficients were: type of CVA – haemorrhagic versus ischemic: -18.95(4.58) (p = 0.007), GCS at hospital admission: -6.83(1.08), (p = 0.001), and duration of hospital stay -0.38(0.14), (p = 0.40).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To ensure a better prognosis CVA patients require ICU therapeutic interventions. However, as we have shown, where tests can determine the worst affected patients with a poor vital and functional outcome should treatment be withheld?</p

Recent Applications of Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching (FRAP) to Membrane Bio-Macromolecules

This review examines some recent applications of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to biopolymers, while mainly focusing on membrane protein studies. Initially, we discuss the lateral diffusion of membrane proteins, as measured by FRAP. Then, we talk about the use of FRAP to probe interactions between membrane proteins by obtaining fundamental information such as geometry and stoichiometry of the interacting complex. Afterwards, we discuss some applications of FRAP at the cellular level as well as the level of organisms. We conclude by comparing diffusion coefficients obtained by FRAP and several other alternative methods

The Yeast Nuclear Pore Complex and Transport Through It

Exchange of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm is a key regulatory event in the expression of a cell’s genome. This exchange requires a dedicated transport system: (1) nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), embedded in the nuclear envelope and composed of proteins termed nucleoporins (or “Nups”), and (2) nuclear transport factors that recognize the cargoes to be transported and ferry them across the NPCs. This transport is regulated at multiple levels, and the NPC itself also plays a key regulatory role in gene expression by influencing nuclear architecture and acting as a point of control for various nuclear processes. Here we summarize how the yeast Saccharomyces has been used extensively as a model system to understand the fundamental and highly conserved features of this transport system, revealing the structure and function of the NPC; the NPC’s role in the regulation of gene expression; and the interactions of transport factors with their cargoes, regulatory factors, and specific nucleoporins

Risk transfer contract : essay of a new category

Le législateur français a formellement prévu des contrats de transfert de risque de crédit sans pour autant en donner une définition. Partant de ce visa exprès, il est possible d’identifier substantiellement des contrats de transfert de risque, de les distinguer de contrats voisins et de les systématiser malgré leur diversité, en une catégorie autonome. Ayant posé la définition d’un contrat de transfert de risque et analysé ses éléments constitutifs, un régime juridique commun ressort clairement, pour régir aussi bien la formation que les effets d’un tel contrat. L’existence d’une notion de contrat de transfert de risque, qui va de pair avec un régime particulier ouvrira la voie aux praticiens à la conclusion de contrats innommés de transfert de risque, répondant à un besoin grandissant : celui de couverture des conséquences dommageables issues de la réalisation d’un évènement incertainThe French legislator has formally established a credit risk transfer contrat, but without actually defining it. Drawing on this, it is possible to substantially identify many risk transfer contracts, to distinguish them from neighbouring contracts, and assemble them despite their diversity in an autonomous category. Having set a definition of a risk transfer contract and having analysed its essential components, a legal status that governs the formation as well as the effects of such a contract emerges naturally. The existence of a risk transfer contract notion and as well as a corresponding legal status, makes it possible for the parties to conclude new contractual figures of risk transfer contract, in order to meet a growing need: the need to cover the pecuniary losses, resulting from the occurrence of an uncertain event

The distinction between obligation and duty in private law

L’obligation et le devoir sont très souvent confondus. Pourtant, leur distinction est fondamentale. La présente étude propose de les distinguer en puisant le critère de la distinction dans la structure et dans la source de la situation de passivité envisagée. Sous l’angle de sa structure, l’obligation se distingue du devoir par l’existence d’un débiteur et d’un créancier déterminés. La structure de l’obligation permet de la distinguer des devoirs à sujets indéterminés. Néanmoins, ce critère ne suffit pas à distinguer l’obligation des devoirs à sujets déterminés. Il doit être combiné avec un second critère tiré de la source de la situation de passivité. Sous l’angle de sa source, l’obligation dérive de l’autorité seule de la loi ou de l’intervention du débiteur. La source de l’obligation permet de la distinguer des devoirs extra-légaux et des devoirs extra-juridiques. La distinction de l’obligation et du devoir est utile. À cette distinction s’attachent des intérêts pratiques dans le contentieux de la responsabilité civile et en dehors de ce contentieux. Mais, l’obligation et le devoir ne sont pas séparés par une cloison étanche. Leur distinction est caractérisée par sa souplesse et il existe des ressemblances entre les deux notions. Séparés par leur structure et par leur source, l’obligation et le devoir se rapprochent par l’objet et par le sujet. Il en résulte qu’une même personne peut être tenue d’accomplir la même prestation en vertu d’une obligation et en vertu d’un devoir.Obligations and duties are often confused. However, their distinction is fundamental. The present essay proposes to distinguish the two concepts by drawing the criterion of distinction in the structure and the source of the situation of passivity. In terms of structure, the obligationdiffers from the duty by the existence of a determined debtor and creditor. The structure of the obligation separates it from duties that do not exist between two determined parties. Nevertheless, this first criterion is insufficient. It does not make it possible to distinguish between obligations and duties that exist between determined parties. Therefore, it must be combined with a second criterion that is drawn in the source of the situation of passivity. In terms of its source, obligations derive from the rule of law or the intervention of the debtor. The source of the obligation separates it from non-statutory duties and non-legal duties. The distinction between obligations and duties is useful. It has practical use within liability proceedings and outside such proceedings. However, the present essay does not merely highlight the differences between obligations and duties. Their distinction is flexible, in that it reveals similarities between the two concepts. Separated by their structure and their source, obligations and duties have a similar object and a similar subject. In effect, the same person may be required to accomplish the same performance under an obligation or under a duty