Determination of Network Connectivity: Algorithms and Applications in Organ Systems

Abstract

In this dissertation, we develop methods to determine the existence and types of connections between network nodes when the available data are only states (or signals) of such nodes.

The proposed method determines the types of connections by examining the nodes' interaction. Determination inaccuracy caused by different reactive time scales between nodes is addressed by using wavelet analysis. After the network signals are decomposed into signals at different scales, the most prominent scale of each signal is obtained through energy comparison, and then is utilized to calculate connectivity indices which determine the existence and types of connections between nodes. The algorithm developed from the method is tested by applying to a simulated ErbB signaling cascade model.