Study the effect of formulation variables in the development of timed-release press-coated tablets by Taguchi design

In this investigation, the effect of formulation variables on the release properties of timed- release press-coated tablets was studied using the Taguchi method of experimental design. Formulations were prepared based on Taguchi orthogonal array design with different types of hydrophilic polymers (X1), varying hydrophilic polymer/ethyl cellulose ratio (X2), and addition of magnesium stearate (X3) as independent variables. The design was quantitatively evalu-ated by best fit mathematical model. The results from the statistical analysis revealed that factor X1, X3 and interaction factors between X1X2 and X1X3 were found to be significant on the re-sponse lag time (Y1), where as only factor X1 was found to be significant on the response percent drug release at 8 hrs (Y2). A numerical optimization technique by desirability function was used to optimize the response variables, each having a different target. Based on the re-sults of optimization study, HPC was identified as the most suitable hydrophilic polymer and incorporation of hydrophobic agent magnesium stearate, could significantly improve the lag time of the timed-release press-coated tablet.

Influence of quick release valve on braking performance and coupler force of heavy haul train

We establish a simulation model based on the theory of air flow to analyze the accelerated release effect of the quick release valve inside the air brake control valve.In addition, the combined simulation system of train air brake system and longitudinal train dynamics is used to analyze how the parameters of the quick release valve in the 120/120–1 brake control valve affect the propagation characteristics of the train brake pipe pressure wave, the release action range of the accelerated brake, and the longitudinal coupler force for a 20,000-ton heavy haul train on the section of the Datong–Qinhuangdao Railway. The results show that the quick release valve can effectively accelerate the rising speed of the train brake pipe pressure during the initial release, as the accelerated release effect is evident before the train brake pipe pressure reaches582 k Pa. The quick release valve can effectively accelerate the release of the rear cars, reducing the longitudinal coupler force impact due to time delay of the release process. The quick release valve can effectively reduce the tensile coupler force in the train by as much as 20% in certain cases.

A Cooperated Imperialist Competitive Algorithm for Unrelated Parallel Batch Machine Scheduling Problem

This study focuses on the scheduling problem of unrelated parallel batch processing machines(BPM)with release times,a scenario derived from the moulding process in a foundry.In this process,a batch is initially formed,placed in a sandbox,and then the sandbox is positioned on a BPM formoulding.The complexity of the scheduling problem increases due to the consideration of BPM capacity and sandbox volume.To minimize the makespan,a new cooperated imperialist competitive algorithm(CICA)is introduced.In CICA,the number of empires is not a parameter,and four empires aremaintained throughout the search process.Two types of assimilations are achieved:The strongest and weakest empires cooperate in their assimilation,while the remaining two empires,having a close normalization total cost,combine in their assimilation.A new form of imperialist competition is proposed to prevent insufficient competition,and the unique features of the problem are effectively utilized.Computational experiments are conducted across several instances,and a significant amount of experimental results show that the newstrategies of CICAare effective,indicating promising advantages for the considered BPMscheduling problems.

Rationale of Timed-Release Analysis and the Improvement of Flotation Experiment

The fundamental aspects of The Timed-Release Analysis (TRA) and some problems are analysed. Having studied the attribute of optimum flotation test results and the way of optimum test conditions, the auther put forward a proposal to improve this test method by adding a new test step of scavenging flotation and using optimum test conditions varied with different fine coals instead of the given ones settled by the TRA norm. Comparison between test results of the two methods of TRA shows that the improved method is very good.

Recent Advances on the Technologies to Increase Fertilizer Use Efficiency

To increase fertilizer use efficiency （FUE） and to minimize its negative impact on environment have been the focal points in the world for a long time. It is very important to increase FUE in China for its relatively low FUE and serious losses of nutrients. Recent advances of the technologies to increase FUE are reviewed in this article. These include site-specific and real-time nitrogen management, non-destructive quick test of the nitrogen status of plants, new types of slow release and controlled release fertilizers, site-specific nutrient management, and use of urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor to decrease nitrogen losses. Future outlook in technologies related to FUE improvement is also discussed.

Reliability Growth Modeling and Optimal Release Policy Under Fuzzy Environment of an N-version Programming System Incorporating the Effect of Fault Removal Efficiency

Failure of a safety critical system can lead to big losses. Very high software reliability is required for automating the working of systems such as aircraft controller and nuclear reactor controller software systems. Fault-tolerant softwares are used to increase the overall reliability of software systems. Fault tolerance is achieved using the fault-tolerant schemes such as fault recovery （recovery block scheme）, fault masking （N-version programming （NVP）） or a combination of both （Hybrid scheme）. These softwares incorporate the ability of system survival even on a failure. Many researchers in the field of software engineering have done excellent work to study the reliability of fault-tolerant systems. Most of them consider the stable system reliability. Few attempts have been made in reliability modeling to study the reliability growth for an NVP system. Recently, a model was proposed to analyze the reliability growth of an NVP system incorporating the effect of fault removal efficiency. In this model, a proportion of the number of failures is assumed to be a measure of fault generation while an appropriate measure of fault generation should be the proportion of faults removed. In this paper, we first propose a testing efficiency model incorporating the effect of imperfect fault debugging and error generation. Using this model, a software reliability growth model （SRGM） is developed to model the reliability growth of an NVP system. The proposed model is useful for practical applications and can provide the measures of debugging effectiveness and additional workload or skilled professional required. It is very important for a developer to determine the optimal release time of the software to improve its performance in terms of competition and cost. In this paper, we also formulate the optimal software release time problem for a 3VP system under fuzzy environment and discuss a the fuzzy optimization technique for solving the problem with a numerical illustration.

Delayed seed dispersal species and related traits in the desert of the United Arab Emirates

The ability of plants to safely retain seeds in the mother plant is an adaptive mechanism described in many desert plants.However,research about delayed seed dispersal species in the desert of the United Arab Emirates(UAE)is lacking.This study aims to identify these delayed seed dispersal species and assess the relationships of the presence of delayed seed dispersal with plant growth form,habit,spatial dispersal,antitelechoric mechanism,and seed release time.The relationships between the presence of delayed seed dispersal and the above studied traits were assessed by using the Pearson Chi-square test and Nonlinear Principal Components Analysis(NLPCA).Results showed that a total of 46 delayed seed dispersal species were recorded(15.0%of 307 studied species)and the highest incidence occurred in the Fabaceae family(17.4%).Delayed seed dispersal species were predominantly perennial plants(73.9%)with spatial restricted dispersal(67.4%),which released seed in the dry season(45.7%).The dominant groups of delayed seed dispersal species were persistent fruits species and synaptospermy(28.3%).All graminoids showed persistent lignified fruits,while prostrate annuals were basicarpic species with myxospermy.Sandy habitats had the highest number of delayed seed dispersal species(54.3%),whereas salt flats had the lowest(23.9%).In the desert of the UAE,delayed seed dispersal species spread seeds until the end of the dry and windy season,thus breaking seed dormancy at this time and ensuring seed germination in the next arrival of the rainy season.This morphological and ecological adaptation of delayed dispersal species is essential to the survival and sustainable development of vegetation in desert environments.

Physicochemical Properties and Control Release of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) Bioactive Loaded Poly (Lactic Co-Glycolide Acid) Synthesized Nanoparticles

Nano-encapsulation is a platform which offers a promising application for control release and the delivery of drugs in pharmaceuticals and antioxidant/ antimicrobial in food systems. Poly (lactic-co-glycolide acid) (PLGA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible co-polymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid which is used for synthesizing food based polymeric nanoparticles (NP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological and physicochemical properties and the controlled release of bioactive components derived from Aloe vera gel loaded PLGA NP. The results shows the mean hydrodynamic diameter of the unloaded NP is 103 nm which is significantly (p < 0.01) smaller than the loaded freeze dried powered gel (FDG) (147 nm) and liquid gel (LG) (221 nm) and the particle size distribution given by the Poly-dispersity Index were 0.2, 0.2 and 0.3, respectively. The zeta potential for unloaded, FDG and LG NP were ±60, ±28 and ±22 mV, respectively, hence were electrokinetically stable NP. No significant (p > 0.05) inhibition of the antioxidant potential was observed with loaded NP. The entrapment efficiency for the FDG synthesized was 87%, and the burst effect was observed after 4 h as a result of the encapsulation effect. The release kinetics of bioactive is govern by the combination of mass diffusion and capillary action.

Real-Time Traffic Signal Timing for Urban Road Multi-Intersection

this paper develops a real-time traffic signal timing model which is to be integrated into a single intersection for urban road, thereby solving the problem of traffic congestion. We analyze the current situation of the traffic flow with release matrix firstly, and then put forward the basic models to minimize total delay time of vehicles at the intersection. The optimal real-time signal timing model (non-fixed cycle and non-fixed split) is built with the Webster split optimal model. At last, the simulated results, which are compared with conventional model, manifest the promising properties of proposed model.

Studies on the in Vitro Dissolution of Insoluble Volatile Drug from Su-Anxin Nasal Inhalant and Its Correlation on the Nose Steady Self-Controllable Expiration and Inspiration at Night

In the paper, the in vitro dissolution of borneol in 12 hours from 6 batches of optimized inhalant samples were investigated. As a new dosage form, the in vitro release apparatus of nasal inhalant was invented and a pushing bump was used according to the simulation of the nose expiration and inspiration. Based on the data of r2 in the profile and similar factor f2 from 6 linear release tendencies, a good controlled release and a zero order tendency were observed. It can be suggested that there is a good correlation between the in vitro controlled release and the nose steady self-controllable expiration and inspiration, which will contribute to the trend of insoluble volatile drug controlled release and the effect of quick absorption in nasal pulmonary delivery to cure severe or acute cardiovascular or lung diseases at patients' sleeping, such as angina or breathing obstruction. Also, it was concluded that the prescription composed of insoluble volatile drugs can be prepared to be nasal inhalant from which drugs can be absorbed through nose steady self-controllable inspiration to the lung then into the blood and have a great effectiveness improvement of bioavailability at night timing drug delivery system.

Identical Machine Scheduling Problem with Sequence-Dependent Setup Times: MILP Formulations Computational Study

This work aims to give a systematic construction of the two families of mixed-integer-linear-programming (MILP) formulations, which are graph- based and sequence-based, of the well-known scheduling problem. Two upper bounds of job completion times are introduced. A numerical test result analysis is conducted with a two-fold objective 1) testing the performance of each solving methods, and 2) identifying and analyzing the tractability of an instance according to the instance structure in terms of the number of machines, of the jobs setup time lengths and of the jobs release date distribution over the scheduling horizon.

Investigation of Braking Timing of Drivers for Design of Pedestrian Collision Avoidance System

The braking behavior of drivers when a pedestrian comes out from the sidewalk to the road was analyzed using a driving simulator. Based on drivers＇ braking behavior, the braking control timing of the system for avoiding the collision with pedestrians was proposed. In this study, the subject drivers started braking at almost the same time in terms of TTC （Time to Collision）, regardless of the velocity of a subject vehicle and crossing velocity of pedestrians. This experimental result showed that brake timing of the system which can minimize the interference for braking between drivers and the system is 1.3 s of TTC. Next, the drivers＇ braking behavior was investigated when the system controlled braking to avoid collision at this timing. As a result, drivers did not show any change of braking behavior with no excessive interference between braking control by the system and braking operation by drivers for avoiding collisions with pedestrians which is equivalent to the excessive dependence on the system.

Design of Atomic Time Scale Release System for Multiple Laboratories

The atomic time scale release system for multiple laboratories is completed by modular design according to the atomic clock data provided by eight domestic punctual laboratories.The system includes the three modules,the processing of atomic clock data,the calculation of atomic time scale and the release of atomic time scale data,using MATLAB for data processing and time scale calculation,and using GUI for data visualization design.The system has clear process of the algorithm,simple function modules and friendly human-machine interface.The operation results of actual data show that the time difference between the integrated atomic time scale of the system and UTC is better than±10ns,and the content of data release can meet the needs of the scientific research in related fields in China.

机车充风能力对重载列车缓解性能及车钩力影响研究

机车充气与排气性能是列车制动系统重要指标,目前机车制动系统验收指标仅对排气性能有明确要求,对充气性能无要求。机车供风能力不仅影响重载列车缓解特性和车钩力,而且严重制约重载列车在循环制动中的操纵方法。了解机车充气能力对缓解特性和车钩力的影响规律,以及重载列车安全运行和制动系统设计具有重要意义。通过建立列车空气制动系统仿真模型,分析机车充风能力对重载列车缓解特性和车钩力的影响。分析发现,机车充风能力对列车再充风时间、缓解波传播和车钩力都有明显影响;充风能力越弱,则缓解波传递越慢,车钩力越大。在本文研究范围内,合适的充气能力将比弱充风能力首尾车缓解时间差缩短3 s,最大车钩力降低16.2%。建议机车验收时增加机车充风能力检测,并给出了建议检测标准。针对重载列车充风能力,建议多部门联合系统性开展实验与仿真研究,制订重载列车制动系统检测标准与方法。

控释掺混肥料一次性基施对热带地区水稻产量及氮肥利用效率的影响

【目的】探究控释掺混肥及减氮处理对热带地区水稻产量及氮肥利用效率的影响,以期促进控释掺混肥料在热带地区水稻栽培中的科学施用及推广应用。【方法】以控释掺混肥料为试验材料,在海南省屯昌县枫木镇和儋州市东成镇开展大田试验,设置常规施肥(分3次施肥)、控释掺混肥料一次性基施及其减氮10%和减氮20%处理,测定双季稻产量、氮素吸收及氮肥利用效率。【结果】等氮条件下,控释掺混肥料一次性基施能够促进水稻氮素吸收、干物质累积,提高水稻产量和氮肥利用效率;与常规分次施肥相比,水稻产量提高7.43%~22.84%,地上部干物质累积量提高8.22%~22.39%,氮素累积量提高12.19%~32.06%,氮肥利用率提高31.67%~75.65%,且均差异显著(除东成早稻产量外)。而在减氮10%~20%条件下,控释掺混肥一次性基施也能提高或不显著降低水稻产量、干物质累积量和氮素累积量,对氮肥利用率也具有一定提升效果。【结论】控释掺混肥一次性基施可提高水稻产量及肥料氮肥利用率,减氮10%~20%仍能获得较高产量,是热带地区水稻轻简化施肥和减氮增效的有效途径。

寒冷地区电液制动器的油液黏度-时间模型及制动特性研究

针对寒冷地区电液制动器制动力和制动力矩不足等导致水闸制动系统发生溜车问题,基于液压油Vogel黏温模型以及当地温度变化数据,构建了油液黏度随时间变化的黏度-时间模型,并基于该模型对电液制动器制动过程中油液流动特性进行了研究,然后对电液制动器制动性能进行了定量分析。结果表明:在制动过程中,电液制动器液压油压力主要分布在活塞底腔,且随着黏度增大而逐渐增大,当油液黏度为662.4 Pa·s时,压力达到1.455×10^(-3)MPa,电液制动器液压油在叶轮中心轴部位会出现涡流循环,其循环强度随着油液黏度的增加而逐渐增加;在给定工况下,该电液制动器的最小制动力为1098 N,最小制动力矩为274 N·m。而这一制动力矩已低于该电液制动器工作力矩范围,此时可以通过更换该月份黏度更小的液压油或增设预加热系统等措施来提高其制动力和制动力矩,从而实现正常制动。

参数扰动对一种先前的车辆制动控制和防护方法的影响

探究了作者早先提出的一种车辆制动控制防护方法在参数扰动下的防护效果。用MADYMO虚拟仿真软件,对4种形状的典型车头开展了仿真,分析了以下参数:人体头部与车体首次接触时间、制动系统协调时间、路面附着因数:扰动时,对该制动控制防护方法的影响。结果显示:在人体头部与车体首次接触时间时为80~100 ms时,对加权伤害费用(WIC)降幅的影响最显著,但不同车型下的参数敏感性排序存在差异。在路面附着因数扰动为0.45~0.80时,人车碰撞损伤未增加;但地面所致WIC降幅均大于零,可有效降低人地碰撞损伤。在制动系统协调时间参数扰动区间为80~350 ms时,该车辆制动控制防护方法仍然保持有效。

计及实时最大功率约束的高速磁浮列车再生制动能量存储利用

针对高速磁浮列车牵引供电系统结构及运行规则特殊性导致再生制动能量无法主动利用、能量回馈方式对局域网电压影响大的问题,在对高速磁浮列车牵引供电系统结构和能量流动机理进行分析的基础上,给出基于地面式超级电容储能的高速磁浮列车再生制动能量回收利用系统拓扑结构;考虑高速磁浮列车再生制动能量回收系统容量配置小、超级电容工作电压变化明显的特性,以高效回收再生制动能量为目标,将储能系统实时的可运行最大功率作为约束功率,制定相应的能量管理策略,实现系统不同工况下的能量管理,并通过分层控制策略实现整个再生制动能量利用系统的高效运行。通过仿真验证所提再生制动能量回收利用系统及控制策略的有效性,结果表明:所提方案可使高速磁浮列车牵引能耗降低21.83%;与储能系统采用固定功率约束的功率分配方式相比,再生制动能量利用率提高了11.9%。

排气道压力波动对发动机二冲程减压制动性能的影响

为分析排气管内压力波动对发动机二冲程制动功率的影响,以某重型柴油机为研究对象,利用GT-Power建立发动机二冲程制动一维模型,通过修改排气型线开展排气道压力波动对制动性能影响的研究。结果表明:第二次减压制动(the second compression release braking,2nd CRB)相位开启时的压力波动会影响到其他气缸的排气回流,进而影响发动机的制动功率。进一步对排气管进行三维流场计算,证明了其他气缸2nd CRB相位排气门开启时的压力波传递对排气回流阶段排气回流的影响。最后通过试验设计(design of experiment,DoE),结合响应面拟合和粒子群算法对排气管几何尺寸进行优化,优化后该柴油机二冲程减压制动模式下2100 r/min工况的最大制动功率可达到395.08 kW。

基于动态碰撞时间的自动紧急制动策略设计

针对基于碰撞时间(TTC)的传统自动紧急制动(AEB)策略未考虑自车车速的局限性,提出了一种考虑车速的动态碰撞时间阈值模型,设计了基于动态碰撞时间阈值的AEB控制策略。为保证制动过程的舒适性与安全性,确定了两级制动策略并对减速度的变化率进行限制,利用PI控制算法完成车辆减速度控制,并通过仿真确定不同车速下的TTC阈值,建立动态碰撞时间阈值模型。硬件在环仿真结果表明:在保证舒适性的前提下,相比于传统AEB策略,所设计的AEB策略避撞成功率提高了47.6%,具有更优的综合性能。