Electrokinetic and hydrodynamic properties of charged-particles systems: From small electrolyte ions to large colloids

Dynamic processes in dispersions of charged spherical particles are of importance both in fundamental science, and in technical and bio-medical applications. There exists a large variety of charged-particles systems, ranging from nanometer-sized electrolyte ions to micron-sized charge-stabilized colloids. We review recent advances in theoretical methods for the calculation of linear transport coefficients in concentrated particulate systems, with the focus on hydrodynamic interactions and electrokinetic effects. Considered transport properties are the dispersion viscosity, self- and collective diffusion coefficients, sedimentation coefficients, and electrophoretic mobilities and conductivities of ionic particle species in an external electric field. Advances by our group are also discussed, including a novel mode-coupling-theory method for conduction-diffusion and viscoelastic properties of strong electrolyte solutions. Furthermore, results are presented for dispersions of solvent-permeable particles, and particles with non-zero hydrodynamic surface slip. The concentration-dependent swelling of ionic microgels is discussed, as well as a far-reaching dynamic scaling behavior relating colloidal long- to short-time dynamics

Corporations - Shareholders - Power of the Majority to Ratify Director\u27s Fraud

Plaintiff, a stockholder in the Kroger Company, brought a derivative suit against a subsidiary of the company and certain officers and directors of both the parent and the subsidiary. It was alleged that . Kroger\u27s directors had fraudulently waived the company\u27s preemptive right to a new issue of stock of the subsidiary and had then purchased the shares for their own accounts at a price far below the market value. The defendants answered that the sale had been ratified by a majority in interest of disinterested stockholders to whom all the details of the transaction had been explained, and denied plaintiff\u27s right to bring a derivative suit without first having made a demand on the stockholders to take remedial action. The trial court dismissed the complaint and the court of appeals affirmed, holding that although a majority could not ratify a director\u27s fraud over the objection of any of the stockholders, the plaintiff nevertheless lacked standing to sue without having made a prior demand on the stockholders. On appeal, held, affirmed as modified, one judge dissenting. A demand on the stockholders was a prerequisite to bringing the suit, because a majority in interest of the stockholders have the power to ratify the director\u27s fraud so long as the ratification is by disinterested stockholders and there is no fraud in obtaining their vote. Claman v. Robertson, 164 Ohio St. 61, 128 N.E. (2d) 429 (1955)

Criminal Law - Trial - Duty of Judge to Instruct on Lesser and Included Crimes

Appellant was one of four defendants who were charged in three separate counts of an indictment with the crimes of attempted robbery in the first degree, attempted grand larceny in the first degree, and assault in the second degree with intent to commit robbery and grand larceny. After all the evidence had been entered, the trial judge submitted only the count of attempted robbery to the jury, instructing them that they return a verdict of guilty or not guilty of that crime. The defense excepted to the court\u27s refusal to submit the other counts charged in the indictment. The defendant was found guilty of attempted robbery, and the verdict was affirmed by the appellate division. On appeal to the New York Court of Appeals, held, affirmed, three judges dissenting. The court is required only to instruct on a lesser or included crime when there is some basis in the evidence for finding the accused innocent of the larger crime and guilty of the lesser one. People v. Mussenden, 308 N. Y. 558, 127 N.E. (2d) 551 (1955)

Constitutional Law - Privilege Against Self-Incrimination -Effect of Immunity Statute

Petitioner was brought before a federal grand jury and questioned as to his and other persons\u27 membership in the Communist Party. After petitioner refused to answer the questions on the ground that the answers would be self-incriminating and therefore his refusal was privileged under the Fifth Amendment, the United States attorney, proceeding under the provisions of the Immunity Act of 1954, filed an application in the United States district court requesting that petitioner be required to answer the questions. The district court, upholding the constitutionality of the act, ordered petitioner to answer the questions, and petitioner\u27s appeal from this order was dismissed by the court of appeals. Upon petitioner\u27s stipulated refusal to answer the questions, the district court held him in contempt and sentenced him to six months\u27 imprisonment unless he should purge himself of the contempt. The court of appeals affirmed. On certiorari to the Supreme Court, held, affirmed, two justices dissenting. The intent of the Fifth Amendment was to prevent the government from forcing a person to testify to matters which would make him liable for criminal prosecution. Once the threat of criminal prosecution is removed, the purpose of the amendment has been served and the witness has no right to refuse to testify. Ullmann v. United States, 350 U.S. 422 (1956)

Future Interests - Possibilities of Reverter - Constitutionality of Retroactive Limitation

The township school trustees brought actions under the Reverter Act to have the possibilities of reverter contained in the deeds to two currently unused school tracts declared invalid. In each case the trial court held that the possibility of reverter was alienable and that the Reverter Act was unconstitutional, being an ex post facto law and in violation of the due process clauses of the state and federal Constitutions. On appeal, held, reversed. Since possibilities of reverter in Illinois are merely expectancies subject to change, modification, or abolition by legislative action, the act does not result in an unconstitutional taking of property. Trustees of Schools of Township No. 1 v. Batdorf, 6 Ill. (2d) 486, 130 N.E. (2d) 11 I (1955)

Nationwide forestry applications program. Analysis of forest classification accuracy

The development of LANDSAT classification accuracy assessment techniques, and of a computerized system for assessing wildlife habitat from land cover maps are considered. A literature review on accuracy assessment techniques and an explanation for the techniques development under both projects are included along with listings of the computer programs. The presentations and discussions at the National Working Conference on LANDSAT Classification Accuracy are summarized. Two symposium papers which were published on the results of this project are appended