Hartigan’s method for k-means clustering holds several potential advantages compared to the classical and prevalent optimization heuristic known as Lloyd’s algorithm. E.g., it was recently shown that the set of local minima of Hartigan’s algorithm is a subset of those of Lloyd’s method. We develop a closed-form expression that allows to establish Hartigan’s method for k-means clustering with an...

WHEN Steven Paget published his theory of ‘‘seed and soil’’ in 1889 (1), the idea of hematogenous tumor cell dissemination was born. In many breast cancer patients, circulating cells with the characteristics of tumor cells can be identified in the peripheral blood that are known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs). These cells are present not only in patients with metastatic disease but also in t...

..................................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 5 1. Data and methodology.................................................................................................