Availability of Setoff to Foreign Debtors and Representatives in U.S. Courts

(Excerpt) Setoff is the principle of allowing a party to reduce the debt it owes to an entity by applying a credit for any claim it has against the same entity. The purpose of setoff rights is rooted in “avoiding the absurdity of making A pay B when B owes A.” It is meant to be used by debtors as affirmative defenses or counterclaims. Section 553 of title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) generally preserves the right of setoff in bankruptcy cases. This memorandum explores how and when foreign debtors and representatives may exercise setoff rights in cases recognized under Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code. Part I outlines the recognition process in the U.S. under Chapter 15, and how setoff is asserted. Part II highlights considerations courts have given foreign representatives in allowing or denying an assertion of setoff. Part III explores an exception to disallowing foreign representatives to assert setoff rights that derive from debts incurred specifically for the purpose of asserting setoff rights in future proceedings

Pore water geochemistry along continental slopes north of the East Siberian Sea: inference of low methane concentrations

Continental slopes north of the East Siberian Sea potentially hold large amounts of methane (CH4) in sediments as gas hydrate and free gas. Although release of this CH4 to the ocean and atmosphere has become a topic of discussion, the region remains sparingly explored. Here we present pore water chemistry results from 32 sediment cores taken during Leg 2 of the 2014 joint Swedish–Russian–US Arctic Ocean Investigation of Climate–Cryosphere–Carbon Interactions (SWERUS-C3) expedition. The cores come from depth transects across the slope and rise extending between the Mendeleev and the Lomonosov ridges, north of Wrangel Island and the New Siberian Islands, respectively. Upward CH4 flux towards the seafloor, as inferred from profiles of dissolved sulfate (SO42−), alkalinity, and the δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), is negligible at all stations east of 143° E longitude. In the upper 8 m of these cores, downward SO42− flux never exceeds 6.2 mol m−2 kyr−1, the upward alkalinity flux never exceeds 6.8 mol m−2 kyr−1, and δ13C composition of DIC (δ13C-DIC) only moderately decreases with depth (−3.6 ‰ m−1 on average). Moreover, upon addition of Zn acetate to pore water samples, ZnS did not precipitate, indicating a lack of dissolved H2S. Phosphate, ammonium, and metal profiles reveal that metal oxide reduction by organic carbon dominates the geochemical environment and supports very low organic carbon turnover rates. A single core on the Lomonosov Ridge differs, as diffusive fluxes for SO42− and alkalinity were 13.9 and 11.3 mol m−2 kyr−1, respectively, the δ13C-DIC gradient was 5.6 ‰ m−1, and Mn2+ reduction terminated within 1.3 m of the seafloor. These are among the first pore water results generated from this vast climatically sensitive region, and they imply that abundant CH4, including gas hydrates, do not characterize the East Siberian Sea slope or rise along the investigated depth transects. This contradicts previous modeling and discussions, which due to the lack of data are almost entirely based on assumption

Closed-loop compensation of dielectric charge induced by ionizing radiation

This letter investigates the capability of dielectric charge control loops to cope with charge induced by ionizing radiation. To this effect, an microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) variable capacitor has been irradiated with X-rays and gamma-radiation in three scenarios: 1) without polarization; 2) using an open-loop dielectric charge mitigation strategy; and 3) using a closed-loop control method. The results show that the charge effects induced by radiation can be partially compensated using dielectric charge control.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Timing of the first drainage of the Baltic Ice Lake synchronous with the onset of Greenland Stadial 1

Glacial varves can give significant insights into recession and melting rates of decaying ice sheets. Moreover, varve chronologies can provide an independent means of comparison to other annually resolved climatic archives, which ultimately help to assess the timing and response of an ice sheet to changes across rapid climate transitions. Here we report a composite 1257-year long varve chronology from south-eastern Sweden spanning the regional late Allerød-late Younger Dryas pollen zone. The chronology was correlated to the Greenland Ice Core Chronology 2005 using the time-synchronous Vedde Ash volcanic marker, which can be found in both successions. For the first time, this enables secure placement of the Lateglacial Swedish varve chronology in absolute time. Geochemical analysis from new varve successions indicate a marked change in sedimentation regime accompanied by an interruption of ice-rafted debris deposition synchronous with the onset of Greenland Stadial 1 (GS-1; 12 846 years before 1950 AD). With the support of a simple ice flow/calving model, we suggest that slowdown of sediment transfer can be explained by ice-sheet margin stabilisation/advance in response to a significant drop of the Baltic Ice Lake level. A reassessment of chronological evidence from central-western and southern Sweden further supports the hypothesis of synchronicity between the first (penultimate) catastrophic drainage of the Baltic Ice Lake and the start of GS-1 in Greenland ice cores. Our results may therefore provide the first chronologically robust evidence linking continental meltwater forcing to rapid atmosphere-ocean circulation changes in the North Atlantic

Bambini adottati a scuola: valutare il disagio educativo per promuovere benessere relazionale e inclusione umana

Il presente contributo intende approfondire il tema della valutazione dei fattori di rischio e di vulnerabilità educativa ma anche delle risorse e delle potenzialità del bambin* adottato a scuola. Un tema quanto mai attuale considerando il numero sempre più rilevante di adozioni nazionali e internazionali di minori di età prescolare e scolare nel nostro paese e il ruolo determinante della scuola nel favorire il loro percorso di inclusione non solo formativa ma anche socio-relazionale ed umana. In particolare si intende porre l’accento sulla necessità di offrire a tutti coloro che operano nel contesto scolastico strumenti pedagogici di riflessione e comprensione delle diverse dimensioni che caratterizzano l’incontro complesso del bambin* adottato con la dimensione scolastica. L’adozione del resto, interpella profondamente l’educativo non solo nel sostegno alla costruzione del familiare, ma anche nella strutturazione di categorie ermeneutiche e paradigmatiche che guidino lo sviluppo del bambin* adottato in termini di autoriflessività, autodeterminazione e responsabilità esistenziale ed emotiva.This paper aims to explore an assessment of the risk factors and educational vulnerability but also the resources and potential of the adopted child at school. This is a very topical subject, in view of the increasingly significant number of national and international adoptions of pre-school and school-age minors in our country and the decisive role of schools in promoting their path to inclusion not only educationally but also humanly and in social relations. In particular, we intend to emphasize the need to offer all people working in the school context pedagogical tools to scrutinize and understand the different dimensions that characterize the adopted child’s complex encounter with schooling. After all, adoption deeply involves the educator in the construction of hermeneutical and paradigmatic categories that guide the development of the adopted child in terms of self-reflection, self-determination and existential and emotional responsibility

Laser-plasma-based space radiation reproduction in the laboratory

Space radiation is a great danger to electronics and astronauts onboard space vessels. The spectral flux of space electrons, protons and ions for example in the radiation belts is inherently broadband, but this is a feature hard to mimic with conventional radiation sources. Using laser-plasma-accelerators, we reproduced relativistic, broadband radiation belt flux in the laboratory, and used this man-made space radiation to test the radiation hardness of space electronics. Such close mimicking of space radiation in the lab builds on the inherent ability of laser-plasma-accelerators to directly produce broadband Maxwellian-type particle flux, akin to conditions in space. In combination with the established sources, utilisation of the growing number of ever more potent laser-plasma-accelerator facilities worldwide as complementary space radiation sources can help alleviate the shortage of available beamtime and may allow for development of advanced test procedures, paving the way towards higher reliability of space missions

Continuous synchronization of the Greenland ice-core and U–Th timescales using probabilistic inversion

This study presents the first continuously measured transfer functions that quantify the age difference between the Greenland ice-core chronology 2005 (GICC05) and the U–Th timescale during the last glacial period. The transfer functions were estimated using an automated algorithm for Bayesian inversion that allows inferring a continuous and objective synchronization between Greenland ice-core and East Asian summer monsoon speleothem data, and a total of three transfer functions were inferred using independent ice-core records. The algorithm is based on an alignment model that considers prior knowledge of the GICC05 counting error but also samples synchronization scenarios that exceed the differential dating uncertainty of the annual-layer count in ice cores, which are currently hard to detect using conventional alignment techniques. The transfer functions are on average 48 % more precise than previous estimates and significantly reduce the absolute dating uncertainty of the GICC05 back to 48 kyr ago. The results reveal that GICCC05 is, on average, systematically younger than the U–Th timescale by 0.86 %. However, they also highlight that the annual-layer counting error is not strictly correlated over extended periods of time and that within the coldest Greenland Stadials the differential dating uncertainty is likely underestimated by up to ∼13 %. Importantly, the analysis implies for the first time that during the Last Glacial Maximum GICC05 may overcount ice layers by ∼10 % – a bias possibly attributable to a higher frequency of sub-annual layers due to changes in the seasonal cycle of precipitation and mode of dust deposition to the Greenland Ice Sheet. The new timescale transfer functions provide important constraints on the uncertainty surrounding the stratigraphic dating of the Greenland age scale and enable an improved chronological integration of ice cores as well as U–Th-dated and radiocarbon-dated paleoclimate records on a common timeline. The transfer functions are available as a Supplement to this study.</p

Mediatore esperto in programmi di giustizia riparativa alla luce della riforma Cartabia. La necessità di una formazione pedagogica per una nuova professionalità giuridico umanistica

Affrontare le questioni di giustizia adottando il paradigma della restorative justice impone di guardare ai crimini come una violazione di persone e di relazioni che crea fratture interpersonali e sociali producendo bisogni umani. Di qui la necessità che la giustizia riparativa venga immaginata come una specificità professionale e in quanto e tale curata con attenzione pedagogica nei processi formativi della nuova figura di “mediatore penale esperto in programmi di giustizia riparativa”Addressing issues of justice by adopting the paradigm of restorative justice requires looking at crimes as a violation of people and relationships that creates interpersonal and social fractures, producing human needs. Hence the need for restorative justice to be imagined as a professional specificity and as such treated with pedagogical attention in the training processes of the new figure of “expert mediator in restorative justice programs“ , particularly in juvenile proceedings

Il ruolo dell’educatore professionale socio-pedagogico nelle comunità residenziali per minori. Quali gli orientamenti metodologici?

The approval of law 205/2017 has legally recognized the professional educational figuresof the socio-pedagogical professional educator and the pedagogist, as well as theeducational contexts in which they operate. However, the legislation still leaves open thefield of pedagogical research into the specific methodologies of intervention that mustcharacterize the various contexts.In this essay, I intend to highlight some directions to guide educators in educationalpractice in residential communities for minors.L’approvazione della legge 205/2017 ha riconosciuto giuridicamente le figure educativeprofessionali dell’educatore professionale socio-pedagogico, del pedagogista e dei relativicontesti educativi di loro pertinenza. La chiarezza legislativa lascia però oggi ancoraaperto il campo alla ricerca pedagogica delle specifiche metodologie di intervento chedevono caratterizzare i vari contesti.In questo contributo intendo far emergere alcuni orientamenti in grado di guidare glieducatori nella pratica educativa nelle comunità per minori

Mediatore esperto in programmi di giustizia riparativa alla luce della riforma Cartabia. La necessità di una formazione pedagogica per una nuova professionalità giuridico umanistica

Affrontare le questioni di giustizia adottando il paradigma della restorative justice impone di guardare ai crimini come una violazione di persone e di relazioni che crea fratture interpersonali e sociali producendo bisogni umani. Di qui la necessità che la giustizia riparativa venga immaginata come una specificità professionale e in quanto e tale curata con attenzione pedagogica nei processi formativi della nuova figura di “mediatore penale esperto in programmi di giustizia riparativa”.Addressing issues of justice by adopting the paradigm of restorative justice requires looking at crimes as a violation of people and relationships that creates interpersonal and social fractures, producing human needs. Hence the need for restorative justice to be imagined as a professional specificity and as such treated with pedagogical attention in the training processes of the new figure of “expert mediator in restorative justice programs “, particularly in juvenile proceedings