Two-Layer Information Granulation:Mapping-Equivalence Neighborhood Rough Set and Its Attribute Reduction

Attribute reduction,as one of the essential applications of the rough set,has attracted extensive attention from scholars.Information granulation is a key step of attribute reduction,and its efficiency has a significant impact on the overall efficiency of attribute reduction.The information granulation of the existing neighborhood rough set models is usually a single layer,and the construction of each information granule needs to search all the samples in the universe,which is inefficient.To fill such gap,a new neighborhood rough set model is proposed,which aims to improve the efficiency of attribute reduction by means of two-layer information granulation.The first layer of information granulation constructs a mapping-equivalence relation that divides the universe into multiple mutually independent mapping-equivalence classes.The second layer of information granulation views each mapping-equivalence class as a sub-universe and then performs neighborhood informa-tion granulation.A model named mapping-equivalence neighborhood rough set model is derived from the strategy of two-layer information granulation.Experimental results show that compared with other neighborhood rough set models,this model can effectively improve the efficiency of attribute reduction and reduce the uncertainty of the system.The strategy provides a new thinking for the exploration of neighborhood rough set models and the study of attribute reduction acceleration problems.

Sludge granulation and efficiency of phase separator in UASB reactor treating combined industrial effluent

Sludge granulation and the effect of gas-liquid-solid separator （GLSS） design on the efficiency of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket （UASB） and upflow anaerobic sludge filter （UASF） reactors, operating at HRTs ranging from 3 to 12 h was investigated. VSS/TS ratio gradually increased in both the reactors with increasing sludge age （from 0.5 to more than 0.7 for UASB reactor and 0.012 to 0.043 for UASF reactor）. X-Ray diffraction analysis of the UASF sludge showed the presence of expanding clays revealing its additional absorption capability. Fuoraphyllite and albite precipitation related to excellular polymers of the microbial shell structure, showed the extended growth of microorganisms during sludge granulation. A gradual decrease （82%-69%） in COD removal with decreasing HRT was apparent in UASF reactor. In case of UASB reactor, this decrease was marginal because addition of GLSS device significantly improved （14%-20%） the overall efficiency of the UASB reactor. GLSS enhanced the efficiency of the UASB reactor by increasing the settleability of suspended particles and accelerating the coagulation of colloidal particles due to the velocity gradient.

Effects of particle characteristics on the granulation ability of iron ores during the sintering process

The granulation behavior of iron ores is essential for subsequent parameter optimization and efficient granulation, especially under changing material conditions. In this study, the effects of surface properties and particle size were analyzed using a laboratory granulation method; an estimation of the granulation of sintering blends was subsequently conducted for the base ores. Circularity and porosity were observed to negatively affect the granulation of iron ores, whereas wettability positively affected the granulation and was the most influential factor, indicating that wetting of iron ores is desirable during granulation. When iron ores with complex size distributions were granulated, the equivalent surface area was the main influencing factor for coarse particles larger than 1 mm and the ratio of adhering fines to intermediates was the main factor for fine particles smaller than 1 mm. By combining the granulation of coarse and fine particles with their proportioning, we proposed a calculation method for estimating the granulation ability of sintering blends. Good verification was demonstrated with the designed schemes. The results suggest that the developed method is effective for predicting the granulation of iron ore mixtures.

Endoscopic management of a rare granulation polyp in a colonic diverticulum

There are many case reports on colon diverticula that cause irritable bowel syndrome,constipation,bleeding,diverticulitis,stricture due to multiple recurrences of diverticulitis,and perforation.However,few articles have examined neoplasms that arise from a diverticulum,such as adenoma and adenocarcinoma,and there have been no reports of granulation polyps that arise from a colon diverticulum after recurrent diverticulitis.We observed a rare granulation polyp that arose from a diverticulum as a result of repeated episodes of local diverticulitis.Narrow band imaging magnified colonoscopy was very useful to diagnose the polyp as a granulation polyp because of the absence of a pit pattern on the surface of the polyp.We successfully resected the polyp using endoscopic mucosal resection.We inverted the diverticulum,and the resected stalk of the polyp was used to close the diverticulum with an over-thescope clip.If a granulomatous polyp could arise from a diverticulum,differential diagnosis between a colon neoplasm and a granulomatous polyp would not only be difficult but also necessary for suitable endoscopic treatment.

Interaction between granulation and small-scale magnetic flux observed by Hinode

With the polarimetric observations obtained by the Spectro-Polarimeter on board Hinode, we study the relationship between granular development and magnetic field evolution in the quiet Sun. Six typical cases are displayed to exhibit interaction between granules and magnetic elements, and we have obtained the following results. （1） A granule develops centrosymmetrically when no magnetic flux emerges within the granular cell. （2） A granule develops and splits noncentrosymmetrically while flux emerges at an outer part of the granular cell. （3） Magnetic flux emergence in a cluster of mixed polarities is detected at the position of a granule as soon as the granule breaks up. （4） A dipole emerges accompanied by the development of a granule, and the two elements of the dipole are rooted in the adjacent intergranular lanes and face each other across the granule. Advected by the horizontal granular motion, the positive element of the dipole then cancels with the pre-existing negative flux. （5） Flux cancellation also takes place between a positive element, which is advected by granular flow, and its surrounding negative flux. （6） While magnetic flux cancellation takes place in a granular cell, the granule shrinks and then disappears. （7） Horizontal magnetic fields are enhanced at the places where dipoles emerge and where opposite polarities cancel each other, but only the horizontal fields between the dipolar elements point in an orderly way from the positive elements to the negative ones. Our results reveal that granules and small-scale magnetic fluxes influence each other. Granular flow advects magnetic flux, and magnetic flux evolution suppresses granular development. There exist extremely large Doppler blue-shifts at the site of one canceling magnetic element. This phenomenon may be caused by the upward flow produced by magnetic reconnection below the photosphere.

Promoting sludge granulation by putting xonotlite into the UASB reactors during starting-up stage

Four reactors of up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) were concurrentlyoperated to examine the effects of the xonotlite secondary particles on promoting the sludgegranulation during the starting-up stage at room temperature. The results show that the putting ofthe xonotlite secondary particles into the UASB reactors can increase the basicity of the reactingliquid significantly. The particles can act as the media for biomass accumulation. Thus, thegranulation process of the sludge within the reactor can be largely promoted by the specialperformances of the particles both in physical and chemical aspects.

Hemozoin triggers tumor necrosis factor alpha-mediated release of lysozyme by human adherent monocytes:new evidences on leukocyte degranulation in P.falciparum malaria

Objective:Avidly phagocytosed hemozoin(malarial pigment) alters several functions of human monocytes and stimulates generation of several cytokines.Recently,we showed that phagocytosis of hemozoin by human monocytes increases expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9,a proteolytic enzyme available in specific gelatinase granules,which contain several enzymes including lysozyme.Present work investigated active lysozyme release after phagocytosis of hemozoin and its dependence on production of tumor necrosis factor alpha. Methods:After phagocytosis of hemozoin,hemozoin-containing trophozoites or control meals(opsonized nonparasitized red blood cells and latex particles),monocyte supematants were monitored for 2 hours,in presence of blocking anti-human tumor necrosis factor alpha antibodies or recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha cytokine in selected experiments.Lysozyme release was evaluated by a specific spectrometric assay measuring lysozyme activity after coincubation of cell supematants with suspensions of Mycrococcus Lysodeikticus,while levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha were analyzed by specific enzyme-linked immunodsorbent assay. Results:Levels of lysozyme activity and soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha protein were increased in hemozoin in-or trophozoites-laden monocytes supematants.Phagocytosis per se(control meals) also increased lysozyme release,but levels were significantly lower than those obtained after phagocytosis of hemozoin or trophozoites. Interestingly,all effects on lysozyme release observed after phagocytosis were abrogated by blocking anti-human tumor necrosis factor alpha antibodies,while they were mimicked by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha cytokine.Conclusions:Present work shows that phagocytosis of hemozoin promotes monocyte degranulation and enhances active lysozyme release.The effect requires tumor necrosis factor alpha mediation.

DEM modeling of high shear wet granulation of a simple system

High shear wet granulation(HSWG) is one of the most poorly understood processes with known difficulties in optimization and scale up. The purpose of the current study is to develop a DEM model which can be applied under dynamic process conditions with high predictive capacity to improve process insight. The DEM model is used to predict agglomeration as a function of impeller speed and liquid addition rate in a high shear wet granulator. The DEM model tracks dynamic formation and breakage of liquid bridges between particles as liquid binder in the system is added, and corrects for the change in material properties as a function of the binder content.

TRANSFORMATION OF EFFUSION AND FORMATION OF GRANULATION TISSUE IN PATHOLOGIC PROCESS OF OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION

Objective To explore the diversity of stagnant effusions and the pathologic processes leading to granulation tissue formation in otitis media with effusion(OME). Methods Temporal bone slides from 306 ears with OME were studied histopathologically under the light microscope. Results Results of this study revealed a pathologic process in witch the type and the condition of stagnant effusion in the middle ear cleft was a variable in the dynamics of OME progression from an early stage to an advanced stage. The location of granulation tissue and retentive effusion were found to be closely related. Conclusion Early stage granulation tissue formation exhibited a pathologic process in which granulation tissue formation occurred only in areas where effusion had stagnated or was absorbed. The incidence of the retentive effusion and formation of granulation tissue was much higher and the pathologic changes most extensive in the area around the ossicular chain.

Fluidised bed granulation of two APIs:QbD approach and development of a NIR in-line monitoring method

The study focused on the fluid-bed granulation process of a product with two active pharmaceutical ingredients,intended for coated tablets preparation and further transfer to industrial scale.The work aimed to prove that an accurate control of the critical granulation parameters can level the input material variability and offer a user-friendly process control strategy.Moreover,an in-line Near-Infrared monitoring method was developed,which offered a real time overview of the moisture level along the granulation process,thus a reliable supervision and control process analytical technology(PAT)tool.The experimental design’s results showed that the use of apparently interchangeable active pharmaceutical ingredients(APIs)and filler sorts that comply with pharmacopoeial specifications,lead to different end-product critical attributes.By adapting critical granulation parameters(i.e.binder spray rate and atomising pressure)as a function of material characteristics,led to granules with average sizes comprised in a narrow range of 280–320μm and low nongranulated fraction of under 5%.Therefore,the accurate control of process parameters according to the formulation particularities achieved the maintenance of product within the design space and removed material related variability.To complete the Quality by design(QbD)strategy,despite its limited spectral domain,the microNIR spectrometer was successfully used as a robust PAT monitoring tool that offered a real time overview of the moisture level and allowed the supervision and control of the granulation process.

Classification of Mineral Resources Associated and Accompanied with Coal Measures

The paper discusses the concept of mineral resources associated with coal measures. A rational and scientific classification of such mineral resources becomes more necessary with the development of science and technology. A classification scheme is proposed based on compositions and physical properties and the utilization of these associated minerals.

On the Effect of the Rotating Chamber Reverse Speed on the Mixing of SiC Ceramic Particles in a Dry Granulation Process

In order to control the accumulation of SiC ceramic particles on the wall of the rotating chamber in the frame of a dry granulation process,the effect of the wall reverse speed on the mixing process is investigated.In particular,an Euler-Euler two-phase flow model is used to analyze the dynamics of both SiC particles and air.The numerical results show that by setting a certain reverse rotating speed of the rotating chamber,the accumulation of SiC particles on the wall can be improved,i.e.,their direction of motion in proximity to the wall can be changed and particles can be forced to re-join the granulation process.Experimental tests conducted to verify the reliability of the numerical findings,demonstrate that when the reverse rotating speed of the rotating chamber is 4 r/min,the sphericity of SiC particles in the rotating chamber is the highest and the fluidity is the best possible one.

New Superconductivity Dome in LaFeAsO1-xFx Accompanied by Structural Transition

High-temperature superconductivity is often found in the vicinity of antiferromagnetism. This is also true in LaFeAsOl-xFx （x ≤ 0.2,） and many other iron-based superconductors, which leads to proposals that supercon- ductivity is mediated by fluctuations associated with the nearby magnetism. Here we report the discovery of a new superconductivity dome without low-energy magnetic fluctuations in LaFeAsO1-xFx with 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.75, where the maximal critical temperature Tc at Xopt =0.5-0.55 is even higher than that at x ≤0.2. By nuclear magnetic resonance and transmission electron microscopy, we show that a C4 rotation symmetry-breaking struc- tural transition takes place for x 〉 0.5 above To. Our results point to a new paradigm of high temperature superconductivity.

Influence of Nozzle Orifice Shape on the Atomization Process of Si3N4 in a Dry Granulation Process

In order to reveal the intrinsic fluid-dynamic mechanisms of a pressure-swirl nozzle used for Si3N4 dry granulation,and effectively predict its external spray characteristics,the dynamics of air-atomized liquid two-phase flow is analyzed using a VOF(Volume of Fraction)method together with the modified realizable k-εturbulence model.The influence of nozzle orifice shape on velocity distribution,pressure distribution is studied.The results show that the pressure difference in a convergent conical nozzle is the largest with a hollow air core being formed in the nozzle.The corresponding velocity of atomized liquid at nozzle orifice is the largest.Using a self-designed atomization experiment platform,the velocity and pressure of atomized liquid and the spray cone angle are measured for three nozzles with different orifice shapes.The micro-morphology of Si3N4 particles is also determined.These data confirm the correctness of numerical simulation.Considering atomization performance of the nozzle,the contraction conical nozzle is more suitable for the atomization of Si3N4 in practical production based on the dry granulation approach.

EFFECT OF MODIFICATION ON CARBIDE GRANULATION AND ITS MECHANISM

By the modification, network carbide is disconnected at 1100 degree C through uneven dissolution at higher energy places in carbide, where there is twin or lattice distortion, and is granulated at 1130 degree C through element diffusion. The stability of M//7C//3 carbide is decreased because of the modification reducing the segregation of Cr and Mo, thus the temperature, at which uneven dissolution of carbide commenced, is decreased. Also lattice distortion or defect such as twin in carbide is increased by the modification, which prompts widespread disconnections in carbide. In addition, the modification prompts element diffusion to accelerate the kinetics process of carbide granulation. (Edited author abstract) 6 Refs.

STUDY ON GRANULATION MECHANISMS OF γ+(Fe,Mn)3C EUTECTICS IN AUSTENITE STEEL COMPOSITES

Results presented in this paper contribute to investigation of the granulation mechanisms of γ+(Fe,Mn)3C eutectics in the austenite matrix composites (abbreviated EAMC). The specimens corresponding to the nominal composition of eutectic with controlled RE(Ce)-Mg agent modifier additions have been unidirectional solidified with a constant growth rate of 2.18μm/s at a fixed temperature gradient of 800K/cm using vertical Bridgeman method. With the RE-Mg agent modifier, the transition of solid/liquid (S/L) interface from columnar to dendrite (CDT), refinement and developed branching of γ and (Fe,Mn)3C phases in the eutectics, and the transition of growth style from faceted-nonfaceted (F/NF) to nonfaceted-nonfaceted (NF/NF) for γ and (Fe,Mn)3C phases in the eutectic have been observed and investigated theoretically. Those can explain the granulation of γ+(Fe,Mn)3C eutectics in the as cast because the roundness increases with the developed lateral branching of primary austenite dendrites, refinement of eutectics, and NF/NF growth of γ and (Fe,Mn)3C phases in the eutectic.

Population dynamics on anaerobic sludge granulation in UASB reactors

Three UASB reactors were operated to investigate the population dynamics of anaerobic sludge granulation. It is found that the increase of bacterial population relates to the bacterial status in anaerobic food chain and relates to sludge organic loading rates. In order to form granular sludge, it is necessary to have sufficient amount of different groups of bacteria in the sludge. In our experiment, the population of fermentative bacteria, propionate degraders, butyrate degraders and methanogens is about 107-8, 105-7, 105-7 and 105-7 cells/ml respectively at the appearance of granular sludge. Filamentous methanogenic bacteria are found to be the important species in sludge granulation. Based on the results obtained, a descriptive model is proposed to describe the microbial characteristics of granulation.

Continuous melt granulation to develop high drug loaded sustained release tablet of Metformin HCl

The present work explores the application of melt granulation technology to develop a high drug loaded sustained release matrix tablet of Metformin HCl using hydroxypropylcellulose(HPC) as a hydrophilic binder and stearic acid as an extrusion aid for producing cohesive granules. This novel approach allowed the use of a minimum number of excipients to reduce the tablet size, and to enhance compressibility of the drug. This also offered a cost effective method owing to the elimination of a ‘drying step’ prevalent in wet granulation method.Moreover, this research also focuses on resolving the processability issues associated with the use of HPC Nisso-H at high drug loading. The thermal lubricants were screened for this purpose and evaluated for their impact on extrudability, granule and tablet characteristics. Stearic acid was selected as the thermal lubricant, which not only contributed to the inhibition of burst release, but also improved the flow property of the granules.The developed matrix tablet(75% drug loading) resulted in 670 mg of weight for 500 mg dose strength and showed sustained drug release over 10 h. When compared, with conventional granulation techniques, it was observed that, under identical compression force, the tablet prepared by MG exhibited superior compactibility along with tablet hardness and optimal drug release profile. FTIR suggested nonexistence of chemical interaction between the drug and the other excipients while XRD and DSC analysis revealed the crystalline state of the drug.Furthermore, the results obtained from Raman spectroscopy proved the uniform distribution of the Metformin HCl and polymer in the final dosage form. This technology leads to the manufacture of sustained release matrix formulation with reduced tablet size of a high dose,highly water soluble drug otherwise difficult to process using standard batch-granulation.

Effects of granulation process variables on the physical properties of dosage forms by combination of experimental design and principal component analysis

The current study was to understand how process variables of high shear wet granulations affect physical properties of granules and tablets. The knowledge gained was intended to be used for Quality-by-Design based process design and optimization. The variables were selected based on the risk assessment as impeller speed, liquid addition rate, and wet massing time. Formulation compositions were kept constant to minimize their influence on granules properties. Multiple linear regression models were built providing understanding of the impact of each variable on granule hardness, Carr’s index, tablet tensile strength, surface mean diameter of granules, and compression behavior. The experimental results showed that the impact of impeller speed was more dominant compared to wet massing time and water addition rate. The results also revealed that quality of granules and tablets could be optimized by adjusting specific process variables(impeller speed 1193 rpm, water spray rate 3.7 ml/min, and wet massing time 2.84 min). Overall desirability was 0.84 suggesting that the response values were closer to the target one. The SEM image of granules showed that spherical and smooth granules produced at higher impeller speed, whereas rough and irregular shape granules at lower speed. Moreover, multivariate data analysis demonstrated that impeller speed and massing time had strong correlation with the granule and tablet properties. In overall, the combined experimental design and principal component analysis approach allowed to better understand the correlation between process variables and granules and tablet attributes.

Effect of RE on Granulation of Eutectic Carbide in Ledeburite Steel

The effect of RE on granulation of eutectic carbide in ledeburite steel was studied. The mechanism of RE action was also discussed. The results show that by addition of RE compounds, the austenitic grains and eutectic carbide are fined, and the amount of divorced eutectic increases. Moreover, crystal defects, such as twins in M 7C 3, increase and the segregation of Cr and Mo decreases, which reduces the stability of carbide. Thus RE can accelerate the dynamic processes of eutectic carbide granulation. The satisfactory result of granulation of carbide was obtained in the ledeburite steel modified by RE compounds.