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We read with interest the paper by Layer et al. regarding the identification of staphylococci with automated systems including VITEK-2 (bioMerieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) (6). Of 86 strains analyzed in their study, 4 were Staphylococcus hominis and all were correctly identified by the colorimetric ID-GP VITEK-2 cards. Identical results have been reported in recent studies evaluating 13 and 14 S. hominis isolates (3, 7).

In this paper, we combine discrete and continuous image models with information-theoretic-based criteria for unsupervised hierarchical image-set clustering. The continuous image modeling is based on mixture of Gaussian densities. The unsupervised image-set clustering is based on a generalized version of a recently introduced information-theoretic principle, the information bottleneck principle. Images are clustered such that the mutual information between the clusters and the image content is maximally preserved. Experimental results demonstrate the performance of the proposed framework for image clustering on a large image set. Information theoretic tools are used to evaluate cluster quality. Particular emphasis is placed on the application of the clustering for efficient image search and retrieval.

Intracellular distribution of cytoskeleton-bound and soluble phosphofructokinase (PFK) (the rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis) in mdx dystrophic muscle was the same as in control nondystrophic muscle. However, the allosteric activity of both bound and soluble PFK was reduced in mdx muscle, accompanied by a decrease in ATP level. In contrast to normal muscle, the cytoskeleton-bound PFK in mdx muscle was sensitive to allosteric regulation, like the soluble enzyme. This change in the properties of cytoskeletal PFK in mdx mice may result from the absence of dystrophin, believed to reside in the cytoskeleton. The findings that cytoskeletal PFK in mdx muscle, although altered, remains bound to cytoskeleton may play a role in muscle structure and function and the mild clinical symptoms in mdx mice.

Maxwell's curl equations and the linearized balance equations for momentum and pressure tensor for a plasma in an external magnetic field are combined in a system of first-order partial differential equations for the field quantities. With the corresponding adjoint system, the Lagrange identity is established, leading to a symmetry relation between the Green functions for the original and the adjoint fields. With temporal mapping the adjoint field can be transformed into a ‘Lorentz-adjoint’ (physical) field, leading to a reciprocity relation between the Green functions for the original and for the Lorentz-adjoint fields.

We present several algorithms for self-intersection detection, and possible elimination, in freeform planar curves and surfaces. Both local and global self-intersections are eliminated using a binormal-line criterion and a simple direct algebraic elimination procedure that enables the direct solution of the algebraic (self-)intersection constraints. All algorithms have been fully implemented and tested. Examples are presented for applications in self-intersection detection, self-intersection-free metamorphosis of curves, and proper trimming of self-intersections in offset curves.

Abstract This paper develops an optimization model for planning an artificial island composed of Very Large Floating Structures (VLFSs). The optimization model addresses the geometric shape of the island (the array of floating platforms), the land-use layout, and the transportation network. The model developed in this paper considers the specific properties related to an artificial island made of multiple floating modules. The model is formulated as a bi-level optimization problem. In the upper level problem, the decision-maker is required to decide the land-use layout and the road network structure. The user behavior pattern is obtained by solving the lower level problem, which is dependent on the decisions taken at the upper level. Given the complexity of the problem, the paper develops modifications to the genetic algorithm to find the Pareto front in a reasonable amount of time. A test case illustrates the feasibility of the proposed planning method. The transportation model execution is the most time-consuming task, which highlights the need to prune irrelevant scenarios. The Pareto front shows a substitution pattern between different land-use configurations, in accordance with the different objective functions.

Twelve insulin-sensitive diabetics were studied for 200 days after the initiation of mixed beef-pork NPH insulin. Normalization of the fasting blood glucose was not accompanied by any elevation in the pre-treatment fasting immunoreactive insulin level. Insulin antibodies appeared in 2 patients on the second week of insulin treatment, in 6 others within 87 days. In 4 patients no antibodies were found 200 days after the start of insulin. The appearance of antibodies was accompanied in two patients by a decrease in insulin requirement, in others there was no change. When antibodies were present, the total maximum insulin binding capacity was 4 to 12 U/l, but the total insulin constituted only 3 to 36% of the binding capacity. Insulin wastage caused by the destruction of the immune complexes was calculated to be 0.35 to 5.6 U/die only, and this explains the negligible effect of insulin antibodies on insulin requirement in non-resistant patients.