On Exchangeability in Network Models

We derive representation theorems for exchangeable distributions on finite and infinite graphs using elementary arguments based on geometric and graph-theoretic concepts. Our results elucidate some of the key differences, and their implications, between statistical network models that are finitely exchangeable and models that define a consistent sequence of probability distributions on graphs of increasing size.Comment: Dedicated to the memory of Steve Fienber

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE-WAIVER OF UNANIMOUS JURY VERDICT IN FEDERAL COURTS

Defendant was tried for two counts of felony. After twenty-seven minutes of deliberation the jury was unable to agree on either count, and the court asked the parties whether they would accept a majority verdict. Counsel for the defendant, after consulting with his client, consented, as did the United States Attorney. The jury found defendant guilty on both counts by a majority of nine to three and ten to two respectively. The court ordered a verdict to be filed and imposed a sentence. On appeal, held, reversed. A unanimous verdict is the inescapable element of due process and cannot be waived under any circumstances. Aside from the disability springing from the due process concept, the mandatory wording of rule 31(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure might also prevent waiver. Hibdon v. United States, (6th Cir. 1953) 204 F. (2d) 834

ARBITRATION-ENFORCEABILITY OF ARBITRATION AGREEMENT IN ACTION BY INVESTOR UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Plaintiff sustained a severe loss in the resale of securities bought from the defendant. Alleging fraud he sued under section 12(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, which provides for liability when prospectuses or oral communications sent through channels of interstate commerce falsely state or omit a material fact so as to render the statement misleading. Pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, defendant moved for an order staying proceedings until arbitration had been had in accordance with an agreement between the parties. The district court denied the order, saying that the non-waiver clause of the Securities Act voided a waiver of remedies. The court of appeals reversed the decision, holding the non-waiver clause applicable only to mandatory provisions of the act. On certiorari, the Supreme Court held, reversed, two justices dissenting. Arbitration, with its informal procedure, would not assure the plaintiff the benefit of being relieved from proving scienter. In view of the unequal positions of the parties in transactions involving securities, and the imposing array of remedies which the Securities Act specifically provides for the buyer, the policy of the statute is better served by avoiding an arbitration agreement under the non-waiver clause, despite the broad language of the Arbitration Act. Wilko v. Swan, 346 U.S. 427, 74 S.Ct. 182 (1953)

Future Interests - Effect of Change of Conditions on Rights of Entry and Possibilities of Reverter Created to Control the Use of Land

It is the purpose of this comment to examine the skills which courts have developed to avoid inequitable results which might arise from forfeiture of estates, and, further, to attempt to demonstrate that judicial opinion may be in a transitional stage, tending to incorporate into law the equitable doctrine of change of conditions in disposing of cases involving rights of entry and possibilities of reverter

REGULATION OF BUSINESS-DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES IN THE FORM OF ADVERTISING ALLOWANCES, SERVICES, AND FACILITIES UNDER THE ROBINSON-PATMAN ACT

This comment will deal solely with the last two forms of discrimination prohibited by sections 2(d) and (e) of the Robinson-Patman Act, and will attempt to illustrate the present state of the law and offer a possible alternative construction and method of implementation of these sections. A recent ruling of the FTC in a group of cases appears to be significant with respect to controversial aspects of sections 2(d) and (e), and indicative of the present attitude of the Commission in the search for an adequate standard by which honest businessmen may keep within the confines of the law. These cases will be discussed in relation to past decisions and to an analysis of sections 2(d) and (e), as to their reach, function, and rationale in the overall scope of the act

Body image perception and body composition: assessment of perception inconsistency by a new index

BACKGROUND: A correct perception of the body image, as defined by comparison with actual anthropometric analyses, is crucial to ensure the best possible nutritional status of each individual. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) represents a leading technique to assess body composition parameters and, in particular, the fat mass. This study examined the self-perception of body image at various levels of adiposity proposing a new index. METHODS: We investigated 487 young Italian adults (mean age of males: 21.9 ± 2.4 years; mean age of females: 21.0 ± 2.2 years). Each subject could choose, on the Contour Drawing Rating Scale, the silhouette that he/she considered most resembling his/her perceived body image as well as his/her ideal body image. On each subject, we performed anthropometric measurements and determined the values of Fat mass and  út with BIA. A new index, FAIFAT (Feel fat status minus Actual fat status Inconsistency), was developed to evaluate possible fat status perception inconsistencies by BIA. RESULTS: Based on ideal and feel body image comparison, women showed higher dissatisfaction than men and preferred slimmer silhouettes. FAIFAT values indicated that the fat status perception was correct in the majority of the examined individuals and only three subjects showed a serious misperception. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that FAIFAT is an appropriate index for assessing the perceived fat status from the body image when compared with data obtained by BIA. In a population, the use of this index will allow the correct identification of groups at risk for eating disorders

Impingement of Water Droplets on an Ellipsoid with Fineness Ratio 5 in Axisymmetric Flow

The presence of radomes and instruments that are sensitive to water films or ice formations in the nose section of all-weather aircraft and missiles necessitates a knowledge of the droplet impingement characteristics of bodies of revolution. Because it is possible to approximate many of these bodies with an ellipsoid of revolution, droplet trajectories about an ellipsoid of revolution with a fineness ratio of 5 were computed for incompressible axisymmetric air flow. From the computed droplet trajectories, the following impingement characteristics of the ellipsoid surface were obtained and are presented in terms of dimensionless parameters: (1) total rate of water impingement, (2) extent of droplet impingement zone, (3) distribution of impinging water, and (4) local rate of water impingement

A novel bacterial l-arginine sensor controlling c-di-GMP levels in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Nutrients such as amino acids play key roles in shaping the metabolism of microorganisms in natural environments and in host–pathogen interactions. Beyond taking part to cellular metabolism and to protein synthesis, amino acids are also signaling molecules able to influence group behavior in microorganisms, such as biofilm formation. This lifestyle switch involves complex metabolic reprogramming controlled by local variation of the second messenger 3′, 5′-cyclic diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP). The intracellular levels of this dinucleotide are finely tuned by the opposite activity of dedicated diguanylate cyclases (GGDEF signature) and phosphodiesterases (EAL and HD-GYP signatures), which are usually allosterically controlled by a plethora of environmental and metabolic clues. Among the genes putatively involved in controlling c-di-GMP levels in P. aeruginosa, we found that the multidomain transmembrane protein PA0575, bearing the tandem signature GGDEF-EAL, is an l-arginine sensor able to hydrolyse c-di-GMP. Here, we investigate the basis of arginine recognition by integrating bioinformatics, molecular biophysics and microbiology. Although the role of nutrients such as l-arginine in controlling the cellular fate in P. aeruginosa (including biofilm, pathogenicity and virulence) is already well established, we identified the first l-arginine sensor able to link environment sensing, c-di-GMP signaling and biofilm formation in this bacterium