Continuous Line Research Articles

Serial artificial neural networks characterized by Gaussian mixture for the modelling of the Consigma25 continuous manufacturing line

In this research, the Consigma25 Continuous Manufacturing (CM) Line is statistically analysed and modelled. First, the main effects plot is employed to examine the effects of different process parameters on the granules size and the tablet strength. Second, a modelling framework based on serial interconnected artificial neural networks is proposed to model the CM line by mapping these parameters to the granules size and the tablet strength. Then, Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) are adopted to characterize the error resulting from these networks in a way that helps in extracting more information and, as a result, improves the performance of the modelling framework. Validated on an experimental data set, the proposed interconnected framework can anticipate the characteristics of the granules and tablets produced using a specific blend of excipients with an absolute error percentage value of less than 12.3%. In addition, the GMMs have improved the predictive performance by 9.7%.

Liquid API feeding in pharmaceutical HME: Novel options in solid dosage manufacturing

Hot melt extrusion (HME) is a common unit operation. It is broadly applicable in the pharmaceutical industry and can be implemented in a continuous manufacturing line. However, the conventional way of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) feeding with a pre-blend consisting of a powdered API and a polymer does not allow the flexibility and agility to adjust the process parameters, which is generally an essential part of continuous manufacturing. In addition, this method of API feeding may result in the segregation of the individual powder components or agglomeration of highly cohesive materials, leading to an inhomogeneous API content in the extrudates, especially at low doses. In this study, the universal applicability of liquid side feeding in pharmaceutical HME was demonstrated using various APIs suspended or dissolved in water and fed as suspension or undersaturated, supersaturated, and highly concentrated solutions into anterior parts of the extruder. The extrudates were characterized in terms of their API content, residual moisture content, and solid-state of the API embedded in the polymer. The results show that a uniform API content without major deviations can be obtained via this method. Furthermore, the residual moisture content of the extrudates was low enough to have no significant influence on further processing of the final dosage form. In summary, this advanced way of feeding allows an accurate, flexible, and agile feeding of APIs, facilitating the production of personalized final dosage forms and a novel option to link the manufacturing of the drug substance and the drug product.

Research on particle retention in continuous horizontal fluidized bed based on CFD-DEM method

Horizontal fluidized beds are widely used in continuous production lines due to their efficient heat and mass transfer mode. Continuous production goals require stabilized reaction systems, which can be achieved by controlling particle retention. But there is a lack of an effective means of controlling particle retention. In this paper, Computational Fluid Dynamics - Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) method is applied to investigate the particle retention in different air inlet angles, which is characterized by the particle back-mixing degree, spatial and residence time distribution. The results show that at low air inlet angles, the system is effective in controlling particle retention. This is achieved through stronger particle back-mixing and more concentrated residence times, which are essential for maintaining reaction system stability. These findings provide guidance for controlling particle retention and enhancing continuous fluidization equipment efficiency.

Analysis of Capasitor Bank Installation for Power Quality Improvement at PT. Sunrise Steel

The large number of inductive loads used, namely 3-phase induction motors and welding machines, has caused a low power factor in the electrical system at PT. Sunrise Steel. In this industry there are 2 production sites for coated steel named Continous Galvalume Line 1 and Continous Galvalume Line 2. There are 6 transformers that supply power to the two places, but there are 2 transformers that have a very low power factor, where Transformer 1 (Continous Galvalume Line 2) a capacitor bank has been installed but the power factor is still low, which is 0.67 and Transformer 3 (Continous Galvalume Line 1) is 0.66. The addition of Capacitor Bank is of course very much needed to increase the value of the power factor in the two electrical systems. This research targets an increase in power factor to 0.98, where Transformer 1 (Continuous Galvalume Line 2) requires the addition of a 17.831 uF capacitor and Transformer 3 (Continous Galvalume Line 1) requires a 2948,81 uF capacitor using an automatic compensation technique. The compensation method used in both is the global compensation method, a capacitor will be installed on each main LVMDP. ETAP Power Station software is used to simulate the results of installing capacitor banks.

Fast‐setting mineral‐impregnated carbon‐fiber (MCF) reinforcements based on geopolymers

AbstractMineral‐impregnated carbon‐fiber (MCF) reinforcements are an innovative type of fiber‐reinforced composites, which combine the valuable properties of high‐performance fibers with durable inorganic matrix materials. The application of mineral‐based matrices to produce MCFs offers a wide range of advantages, such as high resistance to elevated temperatures, low cost, adequate physical and chemical bond with concrete substrates and high technological flexibility in automated processing. In particular, specific‐designed geopolymer (GP) impregnation suspensions allow stable rheological properties with a sufficient long‐lasting processing window as well as moderate curing temperatures to accelerate a fast setting on demand ‐ similar to organic based thermosets. The paper at hand studies the effect of various thermal curing regimes of a GP impregnation matrix and for the forming process of the resulting MCF composite. The fabrication of MCFs were performed by using commercially available raw materials and a continuous pultrusion line with subsequent oven heating at 50 °C and 75 °C. A wide range of experimental investigations at multiple scales have been performed to understand the GP matrix development, fiber‐matrix interface and final MCF properties.

The Application of Physical Simulation in Hot and Cold Rolling of Steels

Physical simulation is a well-known tool for cloning industrial rolling conditions and generating large quantities of useful data. Physical simulation allows not only considerable time and resources savings in the development process but also product quality improvement. Additionally, physical simulation enables risk-free experiments and at negligible cost when compared to full-scale trials. In this paper, three physical simulation cases are presented. All cases are applicable to steel hot rolling or post cold rolling: (1) a strip rolling simulation where the roll forces are predicted, (2) a plate rolling simulation aiming improvement in mechanical properties and (3) a continuous annealing line case where the increase in the line speed generated a large raise in profit and productivity.

Highly Efficient Transfer of Quantum State and Robust Generation of Entanglement State Around Exceptional Lines

AbstractExceptional points (EPs) are non‐Hermitian degeneracies or branch points where eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenvectors coalesce. Due to the complex non‐trivial topology of Riemann surfaces associated with non‐Hermitian Hamiltonians, the dynamical encirclement or proximity of EPs in parameter space has been shown to lead to topological mode conversions and some novel physical phenomena. In fact, degeneracies can also form continuous line geometries, which are called exceptional lines (ELs). The problem is whether the state transfer around the ELs can show different characteristics from the EPs, which is less explored. Here, novel properties of quantum state transfer around the ELs based on a quantum walk platform are explored. It is found that the evolutionary state around the ELs is independent of the initial state and evolution direction, and the transfer of quantum state is more efficient than the case around the EPs. Furthermore, based on such a property, an entangled state generation insensitive to the incident state is realized experimentally. The work opens up a new way for the application of non‐Hermitian physics in the field of quantum information.

The Effect of Sliding Speed on the Tribological Properties of Ceramic Materials

Ceramics are considered to be candidate materials for galvanising pot bearing materials due to their excellent corrosion resistance in many molten metals. Galvanising pot roll bearings must have excellent wear resistance, and, therefore, it is important to understand the wear behaviour of prospective bearing materials. This study investigates the friction- and wear-resistant properties of select ceramics, namely, pure hBN, BN M26, AlN-BN, Macor, 3YSZ, Al2O3 and Si3N4. The ceramics were tested at different sliding speeds using a pin-on-disc device equipped with SiC pins. The lowest coefficient of friction (COF) achieved was below 0.1, and it was measured for pure hBN at a 3.14 m/min sliding speed. However, a wear scar analysis showed that the BN grades suffered from severe wear. The highest wear rate was obtained for BN M26 at a 9.42 m/min sliding speed and was equal to 17.1 × 10−6 mm3 N−1 m−1. It was shown that the wear coefficient of the tested ceramics varied exponentially with hardness. The lowest wear was observed on the 3YSZ, Al2O3 and Si3N4 ceramics, which showed no volume loss, and, for this reason, they can be potentially used as bearing materials in continuous galvanising lines.

Development of a New Marine Fish Continuous Cell Line Derived from Brain of Red Sea Bream (Pagrosomus major) and Its Application to Fish Virology and Heavy Metal Toxicology.

Red sea bream (Pagrosomus major) is one of the most popular farmed marine teleost fish species. Fish cell lines are becoming important research tool in the aquaculture field, and they are suitable models to study fish virology, immunology and toxicology. To obtain a Pagrosomus major cell line for biological studies, a continuous cell line from brain of red sea bream (designated as RSBB cell line) was established and has been successfully subcultured over 100 passages. The RSBB cell line predominantly consisted of fibroblast-like cells and multiplied well in M199 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum at 28 °C. Karyotyping analysis indicated that the modal chromosome numbers of RSBB cells was 48. After transfection with pEGFP-N1, RSBB cells showed bright green fluorescence with a transfection efficiency approaching 8%. For toxicology study, it was demonstrated that metal Cd could induce cytotoxic effects of RSBB cells, accompanied with a dose-dependent MTT conversion capacity. Morphologically, cells treated with metal Cd produced rounding, shrinking and detaching and induced both cell apoptosis and necrosis. For virology study, the RSBB cells were highly susceptible to Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) and Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) with steady titers (i.e., 108.0~8.3 TCID50 mL-1 and 107.0~7.2 TCID50 mL-1 respectively). Furthermore, an obvious cytopathic effect (CPE) could be observed in RSBB cells infected with Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) and Siniperca chuatsi rhabdoviruses (SCRV). Meanwhile, all the infections were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. The new brain cell line developed and characterized from red sea bream in this study could be used as an in vitro model for fish studies in the fields of toxicology and virology.

Root cause analysis of an abnormal groove-clogging failure on sink rolls in continuous hot-dip galvanizing line

In this study, the root cause of an abnormal premature groove-clogging failure on a sink roll in a hot-dip galvanizing line was investigated. Cross-sectional metallurgical characterization was performed on samples obtained from both the groove-clogged and groove-clear sink rolls. Process investigations focused on the Al and Fe concentrations in zinc bath, bath temperature (Tbath), and strip entry temperature (Tstrip). It was found that groove-clogging failure on the sink roll was caused by a large amount of Fe2Al5Znx dross buildup in the grooves, and Tstrip control was the key factor. When Tstrip was consistently lower than Tbath for a long time period during operation, the Fe2Al5Znx intermetallic compounds preferentially precipitated and grew in the locally cooled zinc bath because of the decreased Fe solubility at lower Tbath. When Tstrip was controlled at least 5 ℃ higher than Tbath, the groove-clogging failure was successfully solved.

PSV-24 Implementation of Blockchain Technologies in the U.S. Sheep Industry: Producer and Industry Perceptions

Abstract Agricultural product traceability has become increasingly important. Emerging digital technologies, like blockchain technology, can facilitate supply-chain data capture and exchange across all segments of the industry. To better understand stakeholder perceptions and willingness to share digital production records using blockchain technology, a digital survey was conducted across sheep industry stakeholders. During January of 2021-2022, a 25-question, online survey was conducted to capture U.S. sheep industry producer and processor perceptions. Survey data included 66 responses, where 84.8%, (n = 56) were sheep and lamb producers and 15.2%, (n = 10) were involved in wool warehousing and processing. A continuous line scale anchored at 0 (not familiar) and 100 (very familiar) was used to assess familiarity with blockchain technology (Table 1). Lamb and wool producers were somewhat familiar with blockchain technology (mean = 43.00, n = 40 completed responses), while wool warehousers and processors answered similarly (mean = 40.40, n = 9 completed responses). Stakeholders were also asked to determine their desired monetary premium (% over base price) to submit records into a blockchain system. Wool and lamb producers were asked what level of premium they would need to receive in order to submit records into the blockchain system, 89% (n = 75) of wool and lamb producers indicated they would need at least a 4.1% premium over base price, while 60% (n = 6) of wool processing respondents were willing to pay producers a 4.1% or higher premium for access to records on the blockchain system. Producers and wool processors are somewhat familiar with blockchain technology as a traceability mechanism, and they are willing to implement this technology if there is incentive available in the market. A greater understanding of the economic value, opportunity, and implications that blockchain technology brings to the market is important in determining if the right incentives are available to integrate this technology into the U.S. sheep industry.

Talent cultivation model of rural tourism and industry-education integration combined with the advantageous correlation degree method

Abstract In this paper, we first constructed an industry-teaching integration model for rural tourism talent cultivation and determined the objectives, content, and cultivation methods for cultivating talent. Then, the correlation analysis model is established, the principal components are extracted, and the discrete behavioral observations of the system factors are transformed into segmented continuous lines through the method of linear interpolation, and then the geometric characteristics of the lines are used to determine whether the connection between different sequences is close. Finally, a correlation analysis is conducted on the level of talent cultivation during industry-teaching integration and the factors that influence it. The results show that the training conditions of industry-education integration β = 0.283, the training mode β = 3.409, and the training content β = 0.175, which indicates that the integration of industry-education integration plays an important role in cultivating rural tourism talents. This study proposes a new talent cultivation mode to provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable development of rural tourism.

Theoretical Period–Radius and Period–Luminosity Relations for Mira Variables with Solar Metallicity

Evolutionary sequences of AGB stars with initial masses on the main sequence MZAMS =1.5 M , 2 M and 3 M were computed for the initial metallicity Z = 0.014. Selected models ofevolutionary sequences with envelopes under thermal equilibrium were used as initial conditions forcalculation of nonlinear stellar pulsations. The hydrodynamic models of each evolutionary sequence areshown to concentrate along the continuous line in the period–radius and period–luminosity diagrams.The theoretical period–radius and period–luminosity relations differ from one another for different main–sequence star masses because the stellar luminosity of AGB stars depends on the degenerate carboncore mass which increases with increasing MZAMS. In hydrodynamic models of evolutionary sequencesMZAMS = 2 M and MZAMS = 3 M the periods of the first overtone pulsators are 86 d ≤ Π ≤ 123 dand 174 d ≤ Π ≤ 204 d, whereas all models of the evolutionary sequence MZAMS = 1.5 M oscillate inthe fundamental mode. Fairly regular radial oscillations exist in stars with pulsation periods Π 500 d.In models with longer periods the amplitude rapidly increases with increasing Π and oscillations becomeirregular.

A Real-Time Permittivity Estimation Method for Stepped-Frequency Ground-Penetrating Radar by Full-Waveform Inversion

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has been widely used in estimating the permittivity of mediums. The radar echo amplitude method is an important method used by GPR in this estimation, the basic step of which is to deduce the magnitude of the permittivity according to the relationship between the reflection coefficient and the permittivity. Based on the basic principle of the radar echo amplitude method, this paper proposes a full-wave inversion real-time permittivity estimation method that can be used for stepped-frequency GPR (SFGPR), which offers high efficiency, accuracy, and generalization ability. The characteristics of this method are mainly reflected in the following four aspects: Using the SFGPR system and introducing a layered media detection model, we can complete waveform compensation optimization with high precision. The distance between the antenna and the surface of the reflective medium is extracted from the time domain waveform without manual measurement, avoiding human measurement errors. The inversion of the total reflection waveform at the required height works under the principle of an electromagnetic field, eliminating the need for repeated metal plate calibration experiments and improving work efficiency and waveform accuracy. In a continuous measurement line, the total reflection waveform inversion on each measurement point can be efficiently completed, and the change of permittivity on the measurement line can be obtained. To evaluate the feasibility of the proposed method, we performed experiments on a wall of known thickness, and the permittivity estimation was basically consistent with that of the dielectric probe, physical model calculation, and wall penetration. We also successfully applied this method to the dielectric property analysis of adobe samples. The results indicate that the proposed method can help grasp the condition of a measured medium, which can ensure the accuracy of detection and improve subsequent data processing efficiency.

Inverse parameter identifications and forward strip temperature simulations of the continuous annealing line with physics-informed neural network and operation big data

The continuous annealing line is a key equipment in industrial metal heat treatment. It is a large-thermal-inertia cascade thermal system, and has minute-level time hysteresis between adjustable control parameters and outlet strip temperature, which is challenging for real operation. Large strip temperature deviation from targets will greatly damage the mechanical properties and the surface coating quality of the strip. Traditional methods such as energy balance method, computational fluid dynamics and end-to-end data-driven model are hard to solve the problem due to complex parameter settings, large computing costs and low interpretability, respectively. Here, a novel way seamlessly coupling physical model and data based on physics-informed neural network is used to solve the problem. The mathematical-physical model of the continuous annealing line is developed and a physics-informed neural network model is built to solve inverse problem to identify the heat transfer coefficient of the continuous annealing line. The strip temperature is numerically simulated both with physics-informed neural network model and computational fluid dynamics model. The simulated results are compared with the measured data. The simulated outlet strip temperatures of the two models agree well with the measured data and the accuracy of the identified heat transfer coefficient is verified, where the computational fluid dynamics model has higher accuracy. The physics-informed neural network models developed here will benefit intelligent feedforward cascade control of the continuous annealing line and improve the strip quality in real productions.

Management and clinical outcomes of follicular lymphoma across continuous lines of treatments: a retrospective analysis in China

BackgroundFollicular lymphoma (FL) is characterized by an incurable course that frequently necessitates multiple lines of treatment. While a range of new approaches have broadened therapeutic options for patients in later lines, data regarding treatment patterns and outcomes of Chinese patients with relapsed/refractory(R/R) FL was scarcely reported.MethodsThis retrospective single-center study included patients diagnosed with FL grades 1–3a at our institution between January 2002 and December 2019. Endpoints of interest were analyzed according to lines and types of interventions. The endpoints mainly included overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).ResultsThe study enrolled 566 biopsy-proven patients. Among them, 544 patients initiated the first line of treatment, followed by 240 initiating the second line, 146 initiating the third line, 88 initiating the fourth line, 47 initiating the fifth line, and 28 initiating the sixth line. In terms of treatment patterns, anti-CD20 chemotherapy was a major modality in the first and second lines. However, for patients in the third line and subsequent lines, treatment approaches were diverse, and participation in clinical trials for new medications was common, which correlated with a survival benefit. The study also revealed that clinical indicators (such as ORR, PFS, and OS) gradually decreased with each subsequent line of treatment. The ORR at the first line was 86.6%, but decreased to 48.6% at the third line and 40.4% at the sixth line, respectively. Similarly, median OS and PFS decreased to 88.8 and 7.1 months at the third line and further reduced to 21.7 and 2.8 months at the sixth line, respectively. A total of 133 patients developed progression within 24 months from the initiation of first line anti-CD20 chemotherapy (POD24), and these patients exhibited poorer response rates and outcomes in subsequent lines of therapycompared to the non-POD24 group.ConclusionThis study revealed the clinical routine practices and prognosis of R/R FL patients within the Chinese population. It underscored the unmet need for optimal strategies to improve survival and also served as a benchmark for future trials.

The Moon-Forming Impact and the Autotrophic Origin of Life.

The Moon-forming impact vaporized part of Earth's mantle, and turned the rest into a magma ocean, from which carbon dioxide degassed into the atmosphere, where it stayed until water rained out to form the oceans. The rain dissolved CO2 and made it available to react with transition metal catalysts in the Earth's crust so as to ultimately generate the organic compounds that form the backbone of microbial metabolism. The Moon-forming impact was key in building a planet with the capacity to generate life in that it converted carbon on Earth into a homogeneous and accessible substrate for organic synthesis. Today all ecosystems, without exception, depend upon primary producers, organisms that fix CO2 . According to theories of autotrophic origin, it has always been that way, because autotrophic theories posit that the first forms of life generated all the molecules needed to build a cell from CO2 , forging a direct line of continuity between Earth's initial CO2 -rich atmosphere and the first microorganisms. By modern accounts these were chemolithoautotrophic archaea and bacteria that initially colonized the crust and still inhabit that environment today.

Differential transcriptome response following infection of porcine ileal enteroids with species A and C rotaviruses

BackgroundRotavirus C (RVC) is the major causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in suckling piglets, while most RVAs mostly affect weaned animals. Besides, while most RVA strains can be propagated in MA-104 and other continuous cell lines, attempts to isolate and culture RVC strains remain largely unsuccessful. The host factors associated with these unique RVC characteristics remain unknown.MethodsIn this study, we have comparatively evaluated transcriptome responses of porcine ileal enteroids infected with RVC G1P[1] and two RVA strains (G9P[13] and G5P[7]) with a focus on innate immunity and virus-host receptor interactions.ResultsThe analysis of differentially expressed genes regulating antiviral immune response indicated that in contrast to RVA, RVC infection resulted in robust upregulation of expression of the genes encoding pattern recognition receptors including RIG1-like receptors and melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5. RVC infection was associated with a prominent upregulation of the most of glycosyltransferase-encoding genes except for the sialyltransferase-encoding genes which were downregulated similar to the effects observed for G9P[13].ConclusionsOur results provide novel data highlighting the unique aspects of the RVC-associated host cellular signalling and suggest that increased upregulation of the key antiviral factors maybe one of the mechanisms responsible for RVC age-specific characteristics and its inability to replicate in most cell cultures.

Challenges encountered in the transfer of atorvastatin tablet manufacturing - commercial batch-based production as a basis for small-scale continuous tablet manufacturing tests

As is the case with batch-based tableting processes, continuous tablet manufacturing can be conducted by direct compression or with a granulation step such as dry or wet granulation included in the production procedure. In this work, continuous manufacturing tests were performed with a commercial tablet formulation, while maintaining its original material composition. Challenges were encountered with the feeding performance of the API during initial tests which required designing different powder pre-blend compositions. After the pre-blend optimization phase, granules were prepared with a roller compactor. Tableting was conducted with the granules and an additional brief continuous direct compression run was completed with some ungranulated mixture. The tablets were assessed with off-line tests, applying the quality requirements demanded for the batch-manufactured product. Chemical maps were obtained by Raman mapping and elemental maps by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Large variations in both tablet weights and breaking forces were observed in all tested samples, resulting in significant quality complications. It was suspected that the API tended to adhere to the process equipment, accounting for the low API content in the powder mixture and tablets. These results suggest that this API or the tablet composition was unsuitable for manufacturing in a continuous line; further testing could be continued with different materials and changes in the process.

An analysis of the Vodolazkin’s novel "The Aviator" in senior high school

The study of the semiotic space of literature still remains interesting and in demand, and the semiotic analysis has proved to be a rather successful method in the collection of methods of a literature teacher at school. In the article, the author proceeds from the necessity of using a complex analysis of a fiction text based to a greater extent on semiotic consideration, which includes, in addition to semiotic analysis, analysis of biographical context and partly philological analysis, in senior high schools. The author substantiates the necessity of introducing such a method in the study of modern literature, showing it on the example of complex analysis of the Evgeny Vodolazhkin’s novel "The Aviator". Thus, the aim of the study is to describe the application of the method of semiotic analysis (in combination with others) of works of fiction in the course of literature in senior high school. The relevance of the chosen topic in the novelty of the researched material: the text of the novel. Modern literature still needs a comprehensive study. The novelty of the article consists in the chosen approach to the analysis of the novel with the use of semiotic arsenal of means, as well as in the description of the application of the novel's material in the curriculum at the lessons of literature in senior high school. Using the methods of semiotic, philological and contextual analyses, the author developed a literature lesson plan for the 11th grade of a comprehensive school. This plan can be used in practice, which will allow a teacher supplement and expand the school study of modern literature by a popular new author. As a result of the analysis, it was concluded that this kind of complex analysis of modern fiction can reveal lines of interconnection and continuity with classical literature. Finding such intertextual links with both Russian classical and world literature will allow students to build a logical and coherent picture of the development of the literary process up to the modern stage. As a result of the analysis, the conclusion is made about didactic applicability of the text of the novel in the practice of teaching literature, and the novel itself is presented within the framework of the analysis as a rather complex and rich artistic work in terms of meaning, involving numerous interpretations.