Northern Michigan University

About: Northern Michigan University is a education organization based out in Marquette, Michigan, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Potamonautidae & Freshwater crab. The organization has 866 authors who have published 1442 publications receiving 36887 citations. The organization is also known as: NMU.

Identification of common molecular subsequences.

Abstract: The identification of maximally homologous subsequences among sets of long sequences is an important problem in molecular sequence analysis. The problem is straightforward only if one restricts consideration to contiguous subsequences (segments) containing no internal deletions or insertions. The more general problem has its solution in an extension of sequence metrics (Sellers 1974; Waterman et al., 1976) developed to measure the minimum number of “events” required to convert one sequence into another. These developments in the modern sequence analysis began with the heuristic homology algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch (1970) which first introduced an iterative matrix method of calculation. Numerous other heuristic algorithms have been suggested including those of Fitch (1966) and Dayhoff (1969). More mathematically rigorous algorithms were suggested by Sankoff (1972), Reichert et al. (1973) and Beyer et al. (1979) but these were generally not biologically satisfying or interpretable. Success came with Sellers (1974) development of a true metric measure of the distance between sequences. This metric was later generalized by Waterman et al. (1976) to include deletions/insertions of arbitrary length. This metric represents the minimum number of “mutational events” required to convert one sequence into another. It is of interest to note that Smith et al. (1980) have recently shown that under some conditions the generalized Sellers metric is equivalent to the original homology algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch (1970). In this letter we extend the above ideas to find a pair of segments, one from each of two long sequences, such that there is no other pair of segments with greater similarity (homology). The similarity measure used here allows for arbitrary length deletions and insertions.

Comparison of biosequences

Abstract: Homology and distance measures have been routinely used to compare two biological sequences, such as proteins or nucleic acids. The homology measure of Needleman and Wunsch is shown, under general conditions, to be equivalent to the distance measure of Sellers. A new algorithm is given to find similar pairs of segments, one segment from each sequence. The new algorithm, based on homology measures, is compared to an earlier one due to Sellers.

Data Tables for Lorentz and CPT Violation

Abstract: This work tabulates measured and derived values of coefficients for Lorentz and $CPT$ violation in the standard-model extension. Summary tables are extracted listing maximal attained sensitivities in the matter, photon, and gravity sectors. Tables presenting definitions and properties are also compiled.

The Impact of Conservation on the Status of the World’s Vertebrates

Abstract: Using data for 25,780 species categorized on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, we present an assessment of the status of the world's vertebrates. One-fifth of species are classified as Threatened, and we show that this figure is increasing: On average, 52 species of mammals, birds, and amphibians move one category closer to extinction each year. However, this overall pattern conceals the impact of conservation successes, and we show that the rate of deterioration would have been at least one-fifth again as much in the absence of these. Nonetheless, current conservation efforts remain insufficient to offset the main drivers of biodiversity loss in these groups: agricultural expansion, logging, overexploitation, and invasive alien species.