Clearly Defining Preclusive Corporate Lock-Ups: A Bright-Line Test for Lock-Up Provisions in Delaware

Merger mania currently grips the United States as corporations scramble to find merger partners to achieve strategic goals. In their quest for a competitive advantage, large corporations are increasingly willing to use hostile takeovers to deny competitors the benefits of a strategic mergers. In response, merging corporations have granted record-breaking lockup. provisions in an attempt to protect their deals. Delaware\u27s current framework for evaluating the validity of lock-up provisions requires courts to apply different levels of scrutiny depending on the form of the transaction. However, Delaware courts have inconsistently applied the correct standard and have failed to identify preclusive lock-ups. Although legal commentators have proposed alternatives to the current doctrine, none have been able to provide a solution without sacrificing the recognized benefits of lock-up provisions. This Comment examines the Delaware courts\u27 inability to evaluate lock-up provisions properly and argues that a bright-line test severely limiting the value of lock-up provisions to three percent of a bidder\u27s offer would solve the current dilemma. Without such a test, Delaware courts are unable to protect the interests of shareholders while still allowing the use of lock-ups to facilitate mergers

Studying feasibility and effects of a two-stage nursing staff training in residential geriatric care using a 30 month mixed-methods design [ISRCTN24344776]

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Transfer techniques and lifting weights often cause back pain and disorders for nurses in geriatric care. The Kinaesthetics care conception claims to be an alternative, yielding benefits for nurses as well as for clients.</p> <p>Starting a multi-step research program on the effects of Kinaesthetics, we assess the feasibility of a two-stage nursing staff training and a pre-post research design. Using quantitative and qualitative success criteria, we address mobilisation from the bed to a chair and backwards, walking with aid and positioning in bed on the staff level as well as on the resident level. In addition, effect estimates should help to decide on and to prepare a controlled trial.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Standard basic and advanced Kinaesthetics courses (each comprising four subsequent days and an additional counselling day during the following four months) are offered to n = 36 out of 60 nurses in a residential geriatric care home, who are in charge of 76 residents. N = 22 residents needing movement support are participating to this study.</p> <p>On the staff level, measurements include focus group discussions, questionnaires, physical strain self-assessment (Borg scale), video recordings and external observation of patient assistance skills using a specialised instrument (SOPMAS). Questionnaires used on the resident level include safety, comfort, pain, and level of own participation during mobilisation. A functional mobility profile is assessed using a specialised test procedure (MOTPA).</p> <p>Measurements will take place at baseline (T0), after basic training (T1), and after the advanced course (T2). Follow-up focus groups will be offered at T1 and 10 months later (T3).</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Ten criteria for feasibility success are established before the trial, assigned to resources (missing data), processes (drop-out of nurses and residents) and science (minimum effects) criteria. This will help to make rational decision on entering the next stage of the research program.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN24344776">ISRCTN24344776</a>.</p

Oval Domes. The Case of the Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados of Valencia

[EN] The dome of the Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados of Valencia is an emblematic example of Valencian baroque architecture and painting. Its shape, oval or elliptical, has been the subject of controversy in various studies. The study of oval domes throughout history is a very interesting field of research because, among other things, the determination of the exact shape is important in order to conclude how it was built. We approach the problem from a new mathematical point of view, calculating the distances between the points that make up the real data cloud and the hypothetical form considered, oval or ellipse. The use of modern graphic surveying techniques, carried out with a 3D laser scanner, and computation with the powerful symbolic and numerical mathematical solver, Mathematica, has allowed us to accurately determine the shape of the dome and determine that its sections are not well-described by ellipses. A better fit is obtained assuming that sections are ovals. The programming and generalization of the mathematical method employed in this work will allow it to be applied to determine the exact geometry of other oval or ellipsoidal vaults.Calvo Roselló, V.; Capilla Tamborero, E.; Navarro Fajardo, JC. (2020). Oval Domes. The Case of the Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados of Valencia. Nexus Network Journal. 22(2):393-409. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-019-00465-0S393409222Arphe i Villafañe, Juan de. 1585. Tratado De varia conmmensuracion para la Escultura y Architectura. Sevilla: imprenta de Andrea Pescioni i Juan de León.Barrallo J. 2011. Ovals and Ellipses in Architecture. Proceedings of ISAMA 2011, Columbia College, Chicago, Illinois; p. 9–18.Bérchez Gómez, J. 1995. Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados (Valencia). In: Monumentos de la Comunidad Valenciana. Catálogo de Monumentos declarados y conjuntos históricos incoados. Tomo X. Valencia. Arquitectura Religiosa. Valencia: Conselleria de Cultura, Educació i Ciència—Generalitat Valenciana, 204–217.Borngässer, B. 1997a. Arquitectura barroca en España y Portugal. In Toman R. (ed.) El barroco. Arquitectura-escultura-pintura. Köln: Könemann, 78–119.Borngässer, B. 1997b. Arquitectura barroca en Francia. In Toman R. (ed.) El barroco. Arquitectura-escultura-pintura. Köln: Könemann, 122–151.Bosch Reig, I., Roig Picazo, P. 1999. El proyecto de restauración arquitectónica de las cúpulas, tambor y linterna de la Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados de Valencia. In: Restauración de Pintura Mural aplicada a la Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados de Valencia, Roig Picazo, P. y Bosch Reig, I. Valencia: Servicio de Publicaciones de la U.P.V., 21–74.Calvo López, J., Alonso Rodríguez, M.A., Rabasa Díaz, E.; López Mozo, A. 2005. Cantería Renacentista en la Catedral de Murcia. Murcia: Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos.Capilla Tamborero E., Calvo Roselló, V. 2014. Chapter 8: La cúpula interior de la Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados de Valencia. Análisis geométrico y matemático. In: J. C. Navarro (ed.) Bóvedas Valencianas. Arquitecturas ideales, reales y virtuales en época medieval y moderna. Valencia: ed. UPV (Scientia), 196–237. ISBN: 978-84-9048-188-2.Connors, J. 1999. Un teorema sacro: San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. In Il giovane Borromini. Dagli esordi a San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. Milano: Skira, 459–512.Dotto, E. 2001. Note sulle costruzioni degli ovali a quattro centri. Vecchie e nuove costruzioni dell’ovale. Disegnare Idee Immagini; XII 23: 7–14.Duvernoy, Sylvie. 2015. Baroque Oval Churches: Innovative Geometrical Patterns in Early Modern Sacred Architecture. Nexus Network Journal 17 (2): 425–456.Fernández Gómez M. 1996. La planta oval. Traza y símbolo. Loggia. Arquitectura & Restauración 3: 16–21.García Jara F. 2008. Las cúpulas de la arquitectura religiosa de la provincia de Alicante: del Renacimiento al siglo XIX. Ph.D. Thesis.García Jara F. 2010. La estereotomía de las cúpulas sobre base oval. In: X Congreso Internacional de Expresión Gráfica aplicada a la Edificación, APEGA 2010, Alicante: 767–780.Gentil Baldrich, J. M. 1994. Planta oval y traza elíptica en la arquitectura: Consideraciones geométricas y un ejemplo español. Valladolid.Gentil Baldrich J.M. 1996. La traza oval y la Sala Capitular de la catedral de Sevilla. Una aproximación geométrica. In: J. A. Ruiz de la Rosa et al. Quatro edificios sevillanos. Sevilla: Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Andalucía, Demarcación Occidental, 73–147.Gómez-Collado, M.C.; Calvo Roselló, V; Capilla Tamborero, E. 2018. Mathematical modeling of oval arches. A study of the George V and Neuilly Bridges. Journal of Cultural Heritage Vol. 32: 144–155; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2018.01.012Hatch, John G. 2015. The Science Behind Francesco Borromini’s Divine Geometry. In: Architecture and Mathematics from Antiquity to the Future, eds. Kim Williams and Michael J. Oswald, vol. II, ch. 61, 217–228. Basel: Birkhäuser.Hill, Michael. 2013. Practical and Symbolic Geometry in Borromini’s San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 72 (4): 555–583.Huerta Fernández, S. 2002. Informe sobre la estabilidad de la cúpula interior de la Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados de Valencia. Valencia. Conselleria Cultura, Educació y Ciència de la Generalitat Valenciana, 20 páginas.Huerta Fernández, S. 2007. Oval domes, geometry and mechanics. Nexus Network Journal 9(2), 211–248.Huerta Fernández, S. 2012a. Análisis estructural de cúpulas tabicadas: la cúpula interior de la Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados en Valencia. Construyendo Bóvedas Tabicadas. In: Actas del Simposio Internacional sobre bóvedas tabicadas. Valencia, 26 y 27 de mayo de 2011. Valencia: Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València, 318–335.Huerta Fernández, S. 2012b. Structural Analysis of Thin Tile Vaults and Domes: The Inner Oval Dome of the Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados in Valencia. In: Carvais et al (ed.) Nuts and Bolts of construction history. Culture, technology and society. Vol. 1. Paris: Picard, 375–383.Jung, W. 1997.) Arquitectura y ciudad en Italia. In Toman R. (ed.) El barroco. Arquitectura-escultura-pintura. Köln: Könemann, 12–75.Kluckert, E. 1997. Arquitectura barroca en Alemania, Suiza, Austria y Europa oriental. In Toman R. (ed.) El barroco. Arquitectura-escultura-pintura. Köln: Könemann, 184–273.López Manzanares, G. 2005. La contribución de R. G. Boscovich al desarrollo de la teoría de cúpulas: el informe sobre la Biblioteca Cesarea de Viena. In: Huerta, S. (ed.) Actas del Cuarto Congreso Nacional de Historia de la Construcción. Cádiz, 27–29 January 2005. Madrid: Instituto Juan de Herrera, 655–665.López Mozo A. 2011. Ovals for Any Given Proportion in Architecture: A Layout Possibly Known in the Sixteenth Century. Nexus Network Journal Vol. 13: 569–597.Mazzotti, A. 2014a. A Euclidean Approach to Eggs and Polycentric Curves. Nexus Network Journal, 16, 345–387. DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-014-0189-5Mazzotti, A. 2014b. What Borromini Might Have Known About Ovals. Ruler and Compass Constructions. Nexus Network Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-014-0190-z .Mazzotti, A. 2017. All sides to an oval. Properties, Parameters, and Borromini’s Mysterious Construction. Springer. DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39375-9Montoliu Soler, V. 2012. La Real Capilla de la Virgen de los Desamparados de Valencia: sus orígenes histórico-artísticos. Valencia: Real Academia de Cultura Valenciana.Navascués Palacio, P. 1974. El libro de arquitectura de Hernán Ruiz el Joven. Estudio y edición crítica por Pedro Navascues Palacio. Madrid: Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura.Petrovic, Maja et al. 2019. A Focal Curve Approximation of a Borromini Oval Contour. Nexus Network Journal 21:19–31 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-018-00421-4Rabasa, E. 2009. Soluciones innecesariamente complicadas de la estereotomía clásica. In: AA.VV. El arte de la piedra, teoría y prática de la cantería. Madrid: CEU Ediciones, 50–69.Ragazzo, F. 1995, Geometria delle figure ovoidali, In Disegnare: 11, 17-24.Rosin P. 2001. On Serlio’s construction of ovals. The Mathematical Intelligencer 23(1): 58–69.Serlio S. 1552. Tercero y cuarto libro de Architectura de Sebastiano Serlio Boloñes. Translated by Francisco de Villalpando Architecto. Toledo: Casa de Iván de Ayala, 1552. (Edición facs. Barcelona: Serie Arte y Arquitectura, Editorial Alta Fulla, 1990.) (Edición digitalizada en Huerta, S. 2004. Selección de Tratados españoles de Arquitectura y Construcción de los siglos XVI al XX).Simona, M. 2005. Ovals in Borromini’s Geometry. In: Emmer, M., (ed.) Mathematics and Culture II. Visual Perfection: Mathematics and Creativity. Springer. 45–52. springeronline.comSoler Verdú, R. 1995. La cúpula en la arquitectura moderna valenciana. Siglos XVI a XVIII. Metodologías de estudios previos, para las arquitecturas de sistemas abovedados. Ph.D. Thesis. Universitat Politècnica de València.VV.AA. 2001. Real Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados de Valencia. Restauración de los fondos pictóricos y escultóricos. 1998–2001. I. Bosch (ed.) Valencia: Fundación para la Restauración de la Basílica de la Mare de Déu dels Desamparats

Early Ipswichian (last interglacial) sea level rise in the channel region : Stone Point Site of Special Scientific Interest, Hampshire, England

Constraining the speed of sea level rise at the start of an interglacial is important to understanding the size of the ‘window of opportunity’ available for hominin migration. This is particularly important during the last interglacial when there is no evidence for significant hominin occupation anywhere in Britain. There are very few finer grained fossiliferous sequences in the Channel region that can be used to constrain sea level rise and they are preserved only to the north of the Channel, in England. Of these, the sequence at Stone Point SSSI is by far the most complete. Data from this sequence has been previously reported, and discussed at a Quaternary Research Association Field Meeting, where a number of further questions were raised that necessitated further data generation. In this paper, we report new data from this sequence – thin section analysis, isotopic determinations on ostracod shells, new Optical Stimulated Luminescence ages and Amino Acid Recem analyses. These show early sea level rise in this sequence, starting during the pre-temperate vegetation zone IpI, but no early warming. The implications of this almost certainly last interglacial sequence for the human colonisation of Britain and our understanding of the stratigraphic relationship of interglacial estuarine deposits with their related fluvial terrace sequences is explored

Stem cells in liver regeneration and therapy

The liver has adapted to the inflow of ingested toxins by the evolutionary development of unique regenerative properties and responds to injury or tissue loss by the rapid division of mature cells. Proliferation of the parenchymal cells, i.e. hepatocytes and epithelial cells of the bile duct, is regulated by numerous cytokine/growth-factor-mediated pathways and is synchronised with extracellular matrix degradation and restoration of the vasculature. Resident hepatic stem/progenitor cells have also been identified in small numbers in normal liver and implicated in liver tissue repair. Their putative role in the physiology, pathophysiology and therapy of the liver, however, is not yet precisely known. Hepatic stem/progenitor cells also known as “oval cells” in rodents have been implicated in liver tissue repair, at a time when the capacity for hepatocyte and bile duct replication is exhausted or experimentally inhibited (facultative stem/progenitor cell pool). Although much more has to be learned about the role of stem/progenitor cells in the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver, experimental analysis of the therapeutic value of these cells has been initiated. Transplantation of hepatic stem/progenitor cells or in vivo pharmacological activation of the pool of hepatic stem cells may provide novel modalities for the therapy of liver diseases. In addition, extrahepatic stem cells (e.g. bone marrow cells) are being investigated for their contribution to liver regeneration. Hepatic progenitor cells derived from embryonic stem cells are included in this review, which also discusses future perspectives of stem cell-based therapies for liver diseases

Agreement of Self-Reported and Genital Measures of Sexual Arousal in Men and Women: A Meta-Analysis

The assessment of sexual arousal in men and women informs theoretical studies of human sexuality and provides a method to assess and evaluate the treatment of sexual dysfunctions and paraphilias. Understanding measures of arousal is, therefore, paramount to further theoretical and practical advances in the study of human sexuality. In this meta-analysis, we review research to quantify the extent of agreement between self-reported and genital measures of sexual arousal, to determine if there is a gender difference in this agreement, and to identify theoretical and methodological moderators of subjective-genital agreement. We identified 132 peer- or academically-reviewed laboratory studies published between 1969 and 2007 reporting a correlation between self-reported and genital measures of sexual arousal, with total sample sizes of 2,505 women and 1,918 men. There was a statistically significant gender difference in the agreement between self-reported and genital measures, with men (r = .66) showing a greater degree of agreement than women (r = .26). Two methodological moderators of the gender difference in subjective-genital agreement were identified: stimulus variability and timing of the assessment of self-reported sexual arousal. The results have implications for assessment of sexual arousal, the nature of gender differences in sexual arousal, and models of sexual response

Sialyllactose in Viral Membrane Gangliosides Is a Novel Molecular Recognition Pattern for Mature Dendritic Cell Capture of HIV-1

An accessible sialyllactose moiety on viral membrane gangliosides is shown to be essential for HIV-1 uptake into mature dendritic cells, thereby promoting viral transfer and infection of bystander CD4+ T lymphocytes

Integrated vector management for malaria control

Integrated vector management (IVM) is defined as "a rational decision-making process for the optimal use of resources for vector control" and includes five key elements: 1) evidence-based decision-making, 2) integrated approaches 3), collaboration within the health sector and with other sectors, 4) advocacy, social mobilization, and legislation, and 5) capacity-building. In 2004, the WHO adopted IVM globally for the control of all vector-borne diseases. Important recent progress has been made in developing and promoting IVM for national malaria control programmes in Africa at a time when successful malaria control programmes are scaling-up with insecticide-treated nets (ITN) and/or indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage. While interventions using only ITNs and/or IRS successfully reduce transmission intensity and the burden of malaria in many situations, it is not clear if these interventions alone will achieve those critical low levels that result in malaria elimination. Despite the successful employment of comprehensive integrated malaria control programmes, further strengthening of vector control components through IVM is relevant, especially during the "end-game" where control is successful and further efforts are required to go from low transmission situations to sustained local and country-wide malaria elimination. To meet this need and to ensure sustainability of control efforts, malaria control programmes should strengthen their capacity to use data for decision-making with respect to evaluation of current vector control programmes, employment of additional vector control tools in conjunction with ITN/IRS tactics, case-detection and treatment strategies, and determine how much and what types of vector control and interdisciplinary input are required to achieve malaria elimination. Similarly, on a global scale, there is a need for continued research to identify and evaluate new tools for vector control that can be integrated with existing biomedical strategies within national malaria control programmes. This review provides an overview of how IVM programmes are being implemented, and provides recommendations for further development of IVM to meet the goals of national malaria control programmes in Africa

A time series analysis of the relationship between ambulatory EMG, pain, and stress in chronic low back pain

Twenty-one subjects with chronic back pain (CBP) participated in an ambulatory electromyography (EMG) monitoring study to ascertain the relationships between muscle activity, physical activity, psychosocial stress, and pain. A time-series analysis approach was adopted to investigate both immediate and lagged associations between these variables in an attempt to determine potential causal relationships. Results for group relationships showed a significant relationship between physical activity and pain, self-report of stress and pain, but no relationship between EMG activity and pain. A lagged relationship between physical activity and pain was found, suggesting a causal relationship between physical activity and pain. However, no time lag was observed between stress and pain, hence no causal relationship can be elucidated. Analysis at the individual level indicated stronger relationships between several combinations of these variables, highlighting the need to consider the heterogeneity of the CBP population and etiology of CBP. The use of ambulatory monitoring of pain, stress, and EMG is suggested as one avenue to further explore the population's heterogeneity.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44086/1/10484_2005_Article_BF01543789.pd

A Low Concentration of Ethanol Impairs Learning but Not Motor and Sensory Behavior in Drosophila Larvae

Drosophila melanogaster has proven to be a useful model system for the genetic analysis of ethanol-associated behaviors. However, past studies have focused on the response of the adult fly to large, and often sedating, doses of ethanol. The pharmacological effects of low and moderate quantities of ethanol have remained understudied. In this study, we tested the acute effects of low doses of ethanol (∼7 mM internal concentration) on Drosophila larvae. While ethanol did not affect locomotion or the response to an odorant, we observed that ethanol impaired associative olfactory learning when the heat shock unconditioned stimulus (US) intensity was low but not when the heat shock US intensity was high. We determined that the reduction in learning at low US intensity was not a result of ethanol anesthesia since ethanol-treated larvae responded to the heat shock in the same manner as untreated animals. Instead, low doses of ethanol likely impair the neuronal plasticity that underlies olfactory associative learning. This impairment in learning was reversible indicating that exposure to low doses of ethanol does not leave any long lasting behavioral or physiological effects