def merge_attributes(other, attributes=nil, matches=nil, &filter)
      case other
      when SpecimenRequirement then
        # merge with the default requirement merge attributes if necessary
        attributes ||= MERGEABLE_RQMT_ATTRS
        super(other, attributes)
        # copy the requirement characteristics
        sc = other.specimen_characteristics
        self.specimen_characteristics ||= sc.copy(MERGEABLE_SPC_CHR_ATTRS) if sc
      when Jinx::Hasher then
        # the requirement template
        rqmt = other[:specimen_requirement] || other[:requirement]
        # merge the attribute => value hash
        super
        # merge the SpecimenRequirement after the hash
        merge_attributes(rqmt) if rqmt
      else super
      end
      self
    end
def merge_attributes(other, attributes=nil, matches=nil, &filter)
      case other
      when SpecimenRequirement then
        # merge with the default requirement merge attributes if necessary
        attributes ||= MERGEABLE_RQMT_ATTRS
        super(other, attributes)
        # copy the requirement characteristics
        sc = other.specimen_characteristics
        self.specimen_characteristics ||= sc.copy(MERGEABLE_SPC_CHR_ATTRS) if sc
      when Jinx::Hasher then
        # the requirement template
        rqmt = other[:specimen_requirement] || other[:requirement]
        # merge the attribute => value hash
        super
        # merge the SpecimenRequirement after the hash
        merge_attributes(rqmt) if rqmt
      else super
      end
      self
    end
# Restores this disposed Specimen by deleting the DisposalEventParameters and resetting the availability and activity status.
    # Returns the deleted DisposalEventParameters, or nil if none.
    def recover
      # TODO - test this
      dep = event_parameters.detect { |ep| CaTissue::DisposalEventParameters === ep }
      return if dep.nil?
      dep.delete
      self.available = true
      self.activity_status = 'Active'
      update
    end
 Override default +Jinx::Resource.merge_attributes+ to ignore a source SpecimenRequirement parent_specimen.