The Unconventional World of Dani

Curtis, GregoryLiberal Art

On the embeddability of certain infinitely divisible probability measures on Lie groups

We describe certain sufficient conditions for an infinitely divisible probability measure on a class of connected Lie groups to be embeddable in a continuous one-parameter convolution semigroup of probability measures. (Theorem 1.3). This enables us in particular to conclude the embeddability of all infinitely divisible probability measures on certain Lie groups, including the so called Walnut group (Corollary 1.5). The embeddability is concluded also under certain other conditions (Corollary 1.4 and Theorem 1.6).Comment: 24 page

Circles of Exclusion: The Politics of Health Care in Israel

Dr. Dani Filc delves into Israel\u27s health care system and provides numerous insights on how a private health care system undermines the principle of caring for the poor. Dr. Filc stresses that blind commitment to a for-profit health care system leads to wasted money and increased social inequity

Separation of Blood Mixtures Using Fluorescently Labeled Antibodies

Identifying and analyzing biological mixture samples at a crime scene are of paramount concern for forensic scientists, especially if that type of evidence contains only one cell type. The presence of multiple contributors in a biological evidence sample reduces the probative value of DNA evidence and can sometimes lead to its eventual loss of value. As such, this study was performed in an attempt to examine and evaluate flow cytometry analysis as a means to separate blood mixture samples labeled with fluorescent antibodies. Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC) antibodies were specifically targeted and bound to HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens) markers present on nucleated cells in the blood, after which they were isolated from the blood mixture utilizing Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) - A high throughput technique that separates cell populations based on their optical activity, followed by STR analysis. This approach was tested on fresh blood mixtures containing two contributors, where one contributor possessed an HLA A*02 allele that was not shared with the other contributor. We hypothesize that HLA A*02 positive samples would exhibit fluorescence when bound with the fluorescently labeled antibodies while the HLA A*02 samples would not. As such, we would be able to separate both cell populations using FACS followed by STR analysis. Such a work flow is believed to yield discriminant STR profiles unique to each contributor thus increasing the probative value of the evidence at hand. Results supported our hypothesis and yielded discriminant STR profiles for both contributors, with minor peaks from the A*02 negative contributor being observed in A*02 positive contributor sample. We can then conclude that HLA-A*02 antibodies coupled to FACS is a suitable method that can be utilized to evaluate and separate blood mixture samples in an attempt to yield discriminant STR profiles.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1265/thumbnail.jp

The asymptotic density of finite-order elements in virtually nilpotent groups

Let G be a finitely generated group with a given word metric. The asymptotic density of elements in G that have a particular property P is defined to be the limit, as r goes to infinity, of the proportion of elements in the ball of radius r which have the property P. We obtain a formula to compute the asymptotic density of finite-order elements in any virtually nilpotent group. Further, we show that the spectrum of numbers that occur as such asymptotic densities consists of exactly the rational numbers in [0,1).Comment: 26 page

A Wholesome Learning Experience

2017 essay contest winner Danielle Nurmi\u27s A Wholesome Learning Experienc