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Distinguished words in data sequences: Analysis and applications to neural coding and other fields

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Abstract

This paper concerns sequences of letters in which certain “distinguished” words are of interest. Such sequences arise as data in numerous fields including genetics and neuroscience. A probability distribution is given for the number of occurrences of a chosen word in a randomized sequence of letters. Such words are considered “favored” if they occur more than expected at random. Favored words have been discovered in nerve impulse trains and may reflect a neural coding scheme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Judith Dayhoff & Associates, P.B. Box 4029, 94040, Mountain View, CA, U.S.A.

    Judith E. Dayhoff

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  1. Judith E. Dayhoff
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This article is dedicated to my mother, Margaret Oakley Dayhoff, whose enthusiasm encouraged me to pursue research in mathematical biology.

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Dayhoff, J.E. Distinguished words in data sequences: Analysis and applications to neural coding and other fields. Bltn Mathcal Biology 46, 529–543 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02459501

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