Fuzzy versus quantitative association rules: a fair data-driven comparison.

As opposed to quantitative association rule mining, fuzzy association rule mining is said to prevent the overestimation of boundary cases, as can be shown by small examples. Rule mining, however, becomes interesting in large databases, where the problem of boundary cases is less apparent and can be further suppressed by using sensible partitioning methods. A data-driven approach is used to investigate if there is a significant difference between quantitative and fuzzy association rules in large databases. The influence of the choice of a particular triangular norm in this respect is also examined.     

Crossflow microfiltration of gum arabic solutions: Comparison of the classical system with the co-current permeate flow system

Gum arabic is a natural gum exuded mainly by the trees Acacia senegal , currently used in the food industries for its emulsifying, thickening and stabilizing properties. Its present processing includes various operations providing a quite turbid product. Crossflow microfiltration could be interesting for the clarification and the cold-pasteurization of the gum arabic solutions. Several experiments were therefore made with the crossflow microfiltration unit at ENSIA, using two different systems: the classical one (without permeate circulation), and the co-current permeate flow system (CCPF) allowing the exploration of the low transmembrane pressures range. With gum arabic solutions of 0.17g solids g⁻¹ solution and 70°C, the best results after 60 min of filtration (105.7 L h⁻¹ m⁻², 4.4% of solids retention and 83.4% of clarification) were obtained with the CCPF system at low transmembrane pressure and high crossflow velocity (0.3 bar and 7.5ms⁻¹).     

Tobacco craving predicts lapse to smoking among adolescent smokers in cessation treatment.

Previous research indicates that tobacco craving predicts relapse to smoking among adult smokers attempting to quit. We hypothesized a similar relationship between craving and lapse (any smoking following a period of abstinence) among adolescent smokers during the treatment phase of a clinical trial. A visit was considered a lapse visit if the participant reported smoking or had a carbon monoxide level of 7 ppm or greater subsequent to an abstinent visit. A total of 34 participants (mean age = 14.9 years [SD = 1.3]; mean cigarettes/day = 18.0 [SD = 7.6]; mean Fagerstr?m Test for Nicotine Dependence score = 6.8 [SD = 1.34]; 65% female), were included in the present analysis of 167 treatment visits. Logistic regression analyses showed a positive relationship between degree of craving, measured by the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges, and lapse during smoking cessation treatment (p = .013). Additionally, linear regression analyses demonstrated a strong positive association between cigarettes smoked per day and craving scores (p<.001). Taken together with other data, these findings suggest that degree of craving might influence tobacco abstinence for adolescent smokers. Thus monitoring and addressing craving appears useful to increase the success of adolescent smoking cessation.     

Temperature-induced phase change in a fat. A study by electron spin resonance

Electron Spin Resonance, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and rheological techniques have been used to study the physical changes induced by temperature in lard and in the solid and liquid fractions obtained by fractionation of lard at 15 C. The mobilization process of a C18 fatty acid nitroxide derivative dispersed in the molten fat has been observed in the temperature range −50 to +70 C. The mobilization of the probe seemed to be concomitant with the melting of the low melting point glycerides. Above this temperature, all the probes were in the liquid phase and their mobility reflected the viscosity of their liquid environment, or the viscosity of the bulk fat when crystal was no longer present. Probe mobility was temperature dependent, and it was identical for the three fats at the same temperature, despite their different triglyceride compositions.     

Index of critical points in rational l-approximation

This article is concerned with the l²-approximation of a given transfer function f by a rational one whose order is prescribed. We show that the sum of the indices of the critical points of the criterion is generically equal to 1, and in particular does not depend on f.     

Acute mast cell leukemia disclosed by vasomotor flushing

INTRODUCTION: Acute mast cell leukemia is a rare and severe disease. We report herein a case associated with a flush syndrome. CASE REPORT: A 44-year-old man, presented with a flush of face and trunk. Bone marrow was infiltrated with immature mast cells. In spite of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation the patient deceased. DISCUSSION: Pheochromocytoma, carcinoid tumor, and mastocytosis are associated with a flush syndrome. In our patient the diagnosis was an acute mast cell leukemia. Acute mast cell leukemia can follow systemic mastocytosis or occur de novo. This disease is of poor prognosis. No treatment is available.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hot-Pressed Silicon Carbide-Aluminum Nitride Compositions

A flexural strength of up to 1 GPa was achieved in SiC-AIN materials and is attributed to a dense, equiaxial grain structure of the 2H(δ) SiC-AIN solid solution, with a relatively uniform grain size of ∼ 1 μm. The strength was found to decrease with increasing grain size. While the β→α phase transformation and the formation of various metastable polytypes make microstructural control difficult in SiC materials, excellent control is facilitated in SiC-AIN materials as a result of the stable 2H solid solution. Several mechanisms of grain refinement during the β→ 2H transition were observed, most notably the direct formation of several 2H grains from a single β grain. In addition, grain growth is limited by the diffusion-controlled nature of the transition. These mechanisms could be utilized to achieve even higher strength values, with potentially higher reliability of the materials in structural applications.     

Sol–Gel Processing and Microwave Characteristics of Ba(Mg⅓Ta⅔)O3 Dielectrics

The sol–gel method has been developed for the preparation of pure Ba(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ ceramics. This involves the reaction of the heterometallic alkoxide Ta₂Mg(OEt)₁₂ with hydrated barium hydroxide Ba(OH)₂·8H₂O. Complete crystallization of the sol–gel-derived powder is achieved at 600°C, leading to a cubic perovskite type phase. After sintering at 1400°C (2–5 h), a trigonal cell arises from Mg–Ta ordering (the degree of order is greater than 0.9), and about 98.5% of the theoretical density is obtained. Preliminary microwave dielectric measurements show that the dielectric constant and the unloaded Q _u of the ceramics are 24.2 and 6750, respectively, at 7.7 GHz.     

Differences in Epstein-Barr virus expression between primary and secondary cutaneous angiocentric lymphomas. French Study Group of Cutaneous Lymphomas

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to report on the radiographic interpretation of the hard palate and nasal fossa floor in panoramic radiographs by studying different skulls, x-ray machines, and head positions in relationship to the Frankfort plane before and after ostectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty dry human skulls were radiographed with three different panoramic x-ray machines in three different positions. Three of the skulls were submitted to different ostectomies. RESULTS: Multiple images of the hard palate and nasal fossa floor were present in 96.12% of the radiographs. Single images (3.88%) occurred only in the "chin up" position. CONCLUSIONS: The lower image represents the nasal fossa floor, especially its lateral and anterior limits. The upper images are double real images mainly formed by the junction of the nasal septum with the nasal fossa floor and possibly by posterior parts of the hard palate and nasal fossa floor. All images overlap in the "chin up" position becoming a single image. The most common shape of the anatomic landmark was wide angle "W" (58.33%). Other shapes present in positions "chin up" and "chin down" indicate patient positioning errors. The x-ray machines did not influence the results.