A study of standardization of variables in cluster analysis

A methodological problem in applied clustering involves the decision of whether or not to standardize the input variables prior to the computation of a Euclidean distance dissimilarity measure. Existing results have been mixed with some studies recommending standardization and others suggesting that it may not be desirable. The existence of numerous approaches to standardization complicates the decision process. The present simulation study examined the standardization problem. A variety of data structures were generated which varied the intercluster spacing and the scales for the variables. The data sets were examined in four different types of error environments. These involved error free data, error perturbed distances, inclusion of outliers, and the addition of random noise dimensions. Recovery of true cluster structure as found by four clustering methods was measured at the correct partition level and at reduced levels of coverage. Results for eight standardization strategies are presented. It was found that those approaches which standardize by division by the range of the variable gave consistently superior recovery of the underlying cluster structure. The result held over different error conditions, separation distances, clustering methods, and coverage levels. The traditionalz-score transformation was found to be less effective in several situations.     

A relevant in vitro rat model for the evaluation of blood-brain barrier translocation of nanoparticles

Poly(MePEG₂₀₀₀cyanoacrylate-co-hexadecylcyanoacrylate) (PEG-PHDCA) nanoparticles have demonstrated their capacity to reach the rat central nervous system after intravenous injection. For insight into the transport of colloidal systems across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), we developed a relevant in vitro rat BBB model consisting of a coculture of rat brain endothelial cells (RBECs) and rat astrocytes. The RBECs used in our model displayed and retained structural characteristics of brain endothelial cells, such as expression of P-glycoprotein, occludin and ZO-1, and immunofluorescence studies showed the specific localization of occludin and ZO1. The high values of transendothelial electrical resistance and low permeability coefficients of marker molecules demonstrated the functionality of this model. The comparative passage of polyhexadecylcyanoacrylate and PEG-PHDCA nanoparticles through this model was investigated, showing a higher passage of PEGylated nanoparticles, presumably by endocytosis. This result was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Thanks to a good in vitro/in vivo correlation, this rat BBB model will help in understanding the mechanisms of nanoparticle translocation and in designing new types of colloidal carriers as brain delivery systems.Received 4 March 2005; accepted 14 April 2005     

Decision-making at the surface of the intact or barrier disrupted skin: potential applications for vaccination or therapy

The skin is a highly accessible organ and constitutes an active immunological site. Both these properties make this surface an attractive route for what promises to be a cost-effective, simple, practical and needle-free delivery of vaccines and immunomodulators. Less obvious is the fact that the state of the skin barrier can influence quantitative and qualitative aspects of antigen-specific immune responses. The everyday decision-making at the skin epithelium concerns the choice between the induction of an immune response and the establishment of a state of non-responsiveness (tolerance). This decision is influenced by various factors such as the dose, the route (intact vs barrier-disrupted skin), the cytokine microenvironment and the nature of the antigenic stimulus. By increasing our understanding of how immune responses are regulated in the epidermis we can envisage the development of immunisation protocols aimed at eliciting a protective immune response or inducing tolerance, with direct applications to preventive or therapeutic vaccination, respectively.Received 29 November 2004; received after revision 2 February 2005; accepted 22 February 2005     

Predictability of Plastic Parts Behaviour Made from Rapid Manufacturing

One of the most important issues to resolve in parts manufactured from rapid manufacturing (RM) technologies is to know their behavior working under real conditions. Total quality manufacturing (TQM) is only possible if mechanical properties are well known in the design stage depending on the processing parameters. This work is mainly focused on testing of several samples made with different selective laser sintering (SLS) parameters and technologies. This procedure is the starting point to establish a basis for designing for RM and the standardization of RM testing. The experiments and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyzed the effects of several factors on mechanical properties. The SLS technologies were 3DSystem and EOS. The results show which factor has a large effect on the variables and the interaction between them. The conclusions are very useful for developing rules for designing (designing for RM) and creating new standard rules (ISO, AISI, and DIN) for RM materials and parts testing. The ANOVA gives a better knowledge of the effects of these factors and eliminates unimportant parameters.     

单模跳跃算法的分析与改进

为改进串匹配的效率,通过引入有效载荷,对Horspool算法进行了分析。在字符集较小而模式串长度较大时,跳跃距离受字符集大小限制严重。结合好后缀思想,提出了基于好后缀的Horspool算法GsHor:比较窗口内对应末位字符相同的情况下使用好后缀距离移动窗口;结合Quick Search思想,提出了基于坏字符块的Horspool算法BcbHor。实验表明:字符集大小为4时,GsHor算法的比较次数比Horspool算法减小18%以上,BcbHor算法至少减少42.4%。     

东方龙虱鞘翅:形态学及力学性能研究

研究了东方龙虱鞘翅的拓扑结构及其鞘翅生物材料的力学性能. SEM观测表明鞘翅横向截面和纵向截面结构相同, 是一种具 “桥墩” 状连接的空腔轻质结构, 由致密的黑色外表皮层和其下数十层几丁质纤维层平行、螺旋交织构成的内表皮层组成; 纳米压痕仪测得新鲜鞘翅外侧区域的硬度和弹性模量分别为0.31和6.13 GPa; 拉伸实验得到新鲜鞘翅横向和纵向的强度极限分别为169.2和194.5 MPa; 干燥鞘翅对应的强度极限为85.38和90.91 MPa, 新鲜鞘翅的强度是干燥鞘翅值的2倍; 结果表明甲虫鞘翅是一种力学性能呈现拓扑分布规律的轻质生物复合材料, 该研究为航空航天材料的轻质结构的设计提供了生物学的参考.