returns an object from a period separated object ie "_object.foo" {_object: foo}
function parse(attribute){
  if(_.isString(attribute)){
    if(attribute.charAt(0) === "$"){
      //Don't actually parse JSONPath objects
      var obj = {}; 
      obj['_JSONPath'] = attribute;
      return obj;
    }
    else if(attribute.charAt(0) === "_"){
      var ar = attribute.split('.');
      var obj = {};
      obj[ar[0]] = ar[1];
      return obj;
    }else{
      return attribute;
    }
  }
  else {
    return attribute;
  }
}