The Viséan–Serpukhovian boundary is poorly defined in South China, hampering regional and global stratigraphical correlations. The foraminiferal and conodont distribution of the Baping Formation in the carbonate-slope Danlu section permits the recognition of an interval from the middle Viséan to the uppermost Serpukhovian in a continuous succession. The base of the Serpukhovian in Danlu is recognized by the first occurrences of Janischewskina delicata, Howchinia subplana and questionable ‘Millerella’ tortula. At a slightly younger level, the conodont Lochriea ziegleri is first recorded. A calibration on the first occurrence of L. ziegleri in different basins at a global scale has been revised compared to auxiliary markers within the ammonoids and foraminifers. The late occurrence of L. ziegleri in the Danlu section also supports a lack of synchronicity in the global first occurrence of this taxon. This study calls for the recognition of a new base for the Serpukhovian under a far better correlation between different zonal schemes and fossil groups.

Trimethylgallium (TMGa) adsorption on GaAs(100) has been studied by infrared spectroscopy. The adsorbed TMGa exhibits up to five C-H stretching vibrations between 2700 and 3000 cm−1 and five C-H deformations between 1100 and 1500 cm−1. The adsorbate uptake is a maximum at arsenic coverages of –65%. These and other results indicate that TMGa dissociatively adsorbs onto As dimers with methyl transfer to second-layer Ga atoms and to As atoms. Above 333 K, molecular desorption competes with adsorption, causing the saturation coverage to fall with increasing temperature. The desorption kinetics depend on the composition of the GaAs(100) surface. These kinetics suggest that above 773 K, TMGa is more likely to decompose on the c(2×8) than on a more Ga-rich surface.

In 1986 Egypt and Israel agreed to submit for resolution by binding arbitration the boundary disputes involving the location of 14 demarcation pillars along their shared border on the Sinai Peninsula. A five-member tribunal (Tribunal), appointed and empowered under provisions of the 1979 Treaty of Peace Between Egypt and Israel (Treaty), and authorized by the Compromis to adopt only locations proposed by one of the state parties, held (4-1): that the Egyptian position is to be accepted on the most important dispute, the location of the southernmost pillar denoting “Ras Taba on the western shore of the Gulf of Aqaba”; and, with respect to the 13 remaining pillars in an uninhabited desert region, the position of Egypt is to be accepted in nine instances and that of Israel in four. Professor Lapidoth dissented from the decision as to the pillars in the Taba and Ras el Naqb areas.