A robust high-sensitivity algorithm for automated detection of proteins in two-dimensional electrophoresis gels

The automated interpretation of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis images used in protein separation and analysis presents a formidable problem in the detection and characterization of ill-defined spatial objects. We describe in this paper a hierarchical algorithm that provides a robust, high-sensitivity solution to this problem, which can be easily adapted to a variety of experimental situations. The software implementation of this algorithm functions as part of a complete package designed for general protein gel analysis applications

The Coefficient of Variance as an index of L2 lexical processing skill

The Coefficient of Variance (mean standard deviation/mean Response time) is a measure of response time variability that corrects for differences in mean Response time (RT) (Segalowitz & Segalowitz, 1993). A positive correlation between decreasing mean RTs and CVs (rCV-RT) has been proposed as an indicator of L2 automaticity and more generally as an index of processing efficiency. The current study evaluates this claim by examining lexical decision performance by individuals from three levels of English proficiency (Intermediate ESL, Advanced ESL and L1 controls) on stimuli from four levels of item familiarity, as defined by frequency of occurrence. A three-phase model of skill development defined by changing rCV-RT.values was tested. Results showed that RTs and CVs systematically decreased as a function of increasing proficiency and frequency levels, with the rCV-RT serving as a stable indicator of individual differences in lexical decision performance. The rCV-RT and automaticity/restructuring account is discussed in light of the findings. The CV is also evaluated as a more general quantitative index of processing efficiency in the L2

Graph-Facilitated Resonant Mode Counting in Stochastic Interaction Networks

Oscillations in a stochastic dynamical system, whose deterministic counterpart has a stable steady state, are a widely reported phenomenon. Traditional methods of finding parameter regimes for stochastically-driven resonances are, however, cumbersome for any but the smallest networks. In this letter we show by example of the Brusselator how to use real root counting algorithms and graph theoretic tools to efficiently determine the number of resonant modes and parameter ranges for stochastic oscillations. We argue that stochastic resonance is a network property by showing that resonant modes only depend on the squared Jacobian matrix $J^2$ , unlike deterministic oscillations which are determined by $J$. By using graph theoretic tools, analysis of stochastic behaviour for larger networks is simplified and chemical reaction networks with multiple resonant modes can be identified easily.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Improving Causal Reasoning in a College Science Course

HonorsPsychologyUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162619/1/harrinmi.pd

The Shape of Australian Real Estate Return Distributions and Comparisons to the United States

Investment risk models with variance provide a better description of distribution of individual property returns in the Property Council of Australia data base from 1985 to 1996 than normally distributed risk models. The shape of the distribution of Australian property returns is virtually indistinguishable from the shape of United States property returns in the NCREIF Property Index for the years 1980 to 1992. Australian real estate investment risk is heteroscedastic, like its US counterpart, but the characteristic exponent of the investment risk function is constant across time and property type. It follows that portfolio management and asset diversification techniques that rely upon finite-variance statistics are as ineffectual for the Australian real estate market as they have been found to be for the United States.

Unrealized expectations and political violence in Peru\u27s Sendero Luminoso insurgency

The persistence of Sendero Luminoso’s insurgency since 1980 has produced a number of outstanding works on the history and politics of the movement. Nevertheless, the role of unrealized expectations and the ideological attraction of SL’s political violence, while often insinuated, has received less than thorough attention. Although several works examine Sendero’s ideology, none have yet considered the correlation between incongruent expectations and the ideological appeal of armed struggle. A possible reason for this neglect could be the perceived simplicity and remoteness of Sendero’s Gonzalo Thought ideology. Yet, Senderismo continues to inspire a small group of extremely violent guerrillas. This paper argues that Sendero Luminoso’s ideological promotion of political violence is attractive to some disenfranchised individuals whose aspirators are unsatisfied by their achievements. However, it does not assert that achievement discrepancy alone has automatically translated into political violence. The presence of a relatively well organized revolutionary organization capable of channeling frustration into action has been a decisive ingredient in Peru’s insurgency. The combination of these two elements has contributed significantly to the growth of armed subversion in Peru. This work is novel because it goes beyond the prototypical analysis of political, economic and statistical factors. Sendero’s ideology will be theoretically and empirically evaluated through the movement’s proclamations, propaganda, and behavior. The relation between the Andean legacy of violence and Peru’s profound lack of equity will be linked to the ideological appeal of Sendero’s ultra-egalitarian communist ideology. The essay will focus on the years 1990 to 1995; however, it also examines events outside this time for greater understanding of the movement