China First Heavy Industries (China)

The accuracy of dynamics parameters in the transmission system is essential for high-performance motion trajectory planning and stable operation of heavy-duty servo presses. To mitigate the performance degradation and potential overload risks caused by deviations between theoretical and actual parameters, this paper proposes a dynamics model accuracy enhancement method that integrates multi-objective global sensitivity analysis and ant colony optimization-based calibration. First, a nonlinear dynamics model of the eight-bar mechanism was constructed based on Lagrange’s equations, which systematically incorporates generalized external force models consistent with actual production, including gravity, friction, balance force, and stamping process load. Subsequently, six key sensitive parameters were identified from 28 system parameters using Sobol global sensitivity analysis, with response functions defined for torque prediction accuracy, transient overload risk, thermal load, and work done. Based on the sensitivity results, a parameter calibration model was formulated to minimize torque prediction error and transient overload risk, and solved by the ant colony algorithm. Experimental validation showed that, after calibration, the root mean square error between predicted and measured torque decreased significantly from 1366.9 N·m to 277.7 N·m (a reduction of 79.7%), the peak error dropped by 72.7%, and the servo motor’s effective torque prediction error was reduced from 7.6% to 1.4%. In an automotive door panel stamping application on a 25,000 kN heavy-duty servo press, the production rate increased from 11.4 to 11.6 strokes per minute, demonstrating enhanced performance without operational safety. This study provides a theoretical foundation and an effective engineering solution for high-precision modeling and performance optimization of heavy-duty servo presses.

Background, Context, or Rationale Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional glycoprotein with remarkable biological activities, but faces challenges in maintaining structural integrity and antimicrobial efficacy during industrial production. Aim(s) The manufacturing process of LF powder involves multiple processing steps, including pasteurisation and drying. The heat treatment processes applied in each step can cause changes in the structure and functional properties. We systematically compared four drying processes and investigated the effects of various drying and sterilisation methods. We are seeking sustainable protein preservation technologies achieving the critical balance between bioactive preservation and manufacturing cost‐efficiency. Methods Four LF samples were prepared using different methods: freeze‐drying, high‐temperature spray drying, low‐temperature spray drying, and pasteurised freeze‐dried. The physicochemical properties, including particle size, surface hydrophobicity, moisture distribution, and thermal stability, were measured using techniques such as sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The antimicrobial properties were evaluated using the zone of inhibition method. Major Findings Physicochemical properties: Low‐temperature spray drying LF exhibited the smallest particle size and superior microstructure compared to high‐temperature spray drying and freeze‐drying. It also showed enhanced thermal stability and wettability. Bacteriostatic activity: Low‐temperature spray drying demonstrated superior antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of C. albicans, E. coli and S. aureus . Structural integrity: Low‐temperature spray drying caused the least structural degradation, maintaining better protein functionality compared to high‐temperature spray drying. The fluorescence and Far‐UV Circular Dichroism analysis showed minimal unfolding of LF in low‐temperature spray drying, while high‐temperature spray drying caused more significant denaturation. Scientific or Industrial Implications Low‐temperature spray drying is the most suitable method for preserving LF bioactivity, offering advantages in particle size, structural stability, and bacteriostatic efficacy over high‐temperature spray drying and freeze‐drying. This method is more efficient for industrial‐scale LF production, ensuring the retention of functional properties.

Heat-resistant steel 9Cr-3W-3Co is one of the most important materials of advanced ultra-supercritical units. Investigating the quenching performance of 9Cr-3W-3Co material and optimizing its post-quenching microstructural mechanical properties and residual stress distribution are crucial for ensuring the service performance of large forgings. In this paper, the relevant research was carried out based on the combination of numerical simulation and the Jominy end-quenching test. The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties formation mechanism under different austenitizing temperatures were studied first. Furthermore, considering the residual stress distribution, the heat treatment parameters were optimized. The results showed that the martensite, grain refinement, and carbide distribution of the material were the key factors affecting the hardness after the quenching process. When the austenitizing temperature was 950 °C, a hardness of more than 35 HRC can be obtained within a 50 mm depth after quenching. Meanwhile, on the basis of balancing thermal stress and phase transformation stress, the maximum residual stress decreased by 11.8% compared with that obtained at a 1000 °C austenitizing temperature, dropping to 608 MPa.

The port performance index is an essential parameter for evaluating the performance of container ports and port selection. Many previous studies have investigated the methods of port performance index for seaports and focused on annual data analysis. Inland waterway ports located along the inland waterway have different functions compared with seaports that cannot use the previous method adopted for seaports to calculate the inland port influence index. To make a comprehensive analysis, this paper considers multiple years' worth of factors, including the facility of inland ports, urban economic and traffic factors. This paper introduces a group entropy weight method to evaluate the inland port influence index considering the multiple year data. A visualisation tool integrated with the group entropy weight method is developed to analyse the port performance index automatically. Twenty-seven inland waterway ports along the Yangtze River are considered as a case study for analysing their influence index. The management insights of the dynamic change of inland waterway port ranks are also discussed. [Submitted: 4 March 2024; Accepted: 28 June 2024]

Clinical questionWhat is the impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors on survival and on cardiovascular and kidneyoutcomes for adults living with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?Current practiceFew therapies slow kidney disease progression and improve long term prognosis for adults living with CKD. SGLT-2 inhibitors have demonstrated cardiovascular and kidney benefits in adults with CKD with and without type 2 diabetes. Existing guidance for SGLT-2 inhibitors does not account for the totality of current best evidence for adults with CKD and does not provide fully stratified treatment effects and recommendations across all risk groups based on risk of CKD progression and complications.RecommendationsThe guideline panel considered evidence regarding benefits and harms of SGLT-2 inhibitor therapy for adults with CKD over a five year period, along with contextual factors, and provided the following recommendations:1. For adults at low risk of CKD progression and complications, we suggest administering SGLT-2 inhibitors (weak recommendation in favour)2. For adults at moderate risk of CKD progression and complications, we suggest administering SGLT-2 inhibitors (weak recommendation in favour)3. For adults at high risk of CKD progression and complications, we recommend administering SGLT-2 inhibitors (strong recommendation in favour)4. For adults at very high risk of CKD progression and complications, we recommend administering SGLT-2 inhibitors (strong recommendation in favour).Recommendations are applicable to all adults with CKD, irrespective of type 2 diabetes status.How this guideline was createdAn international panel including patients, clinicians, and methodologists produced these recommendations following standards for trustworthy guidelines and using the GRADE approach. The panel identified typical risk strata of adults with CKD (from low to very high risk of CKD progression and related complications) using the classification system developed by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), and applied an individual patient perspective in moving from evidence to recommendations. Effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors were interpreted in absolute terms applicable to different risk strata with varying baseline risks for outcomes of benefit over a five year period. The panel explicitly considered the balance of benefits, harms, and burdens of starting an SGLT-2 inhibitor, incorporating the values and preferences of adults with different risk profiles. Interactive evidence summaries and decision aids accompany multilayered recommendations, developed in an online authoring and publication platform (www.magicapp.org) that allows reuse and adaptation.The evidenceA linked systematic review and pairwise meta-analysis (13 trials including 29 614 participants) of benefits and harms associated with SGLT-2 inhibitors in adults with CKD with or without type 2 diabetes informed guidance. Among individuals at very high risk of CKD progression and complications, moderate to high certainty evidence shows SGLT-2 inhibitors (relative to placebo or standard care without SGLT-2 inhibitors) decrease all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, hospitalisation for heart failure, kidney failure, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Among individuals at high risk, moderate to high certainty evidence shows SGLT-2 inhibitors result in similar benefits across outcomes except demonstrating little or no effect on hospitalisation for heart failure and kidney failure. Among individuals at moderate and low risk, moderate to high certainty evidence shows SGLT-2 inhibitors probably reduce all-cause mortality and non-fatal stroke, with little or no effect for other outcomes of benefit. Risk-stratified estimates were unavailable for outcomes of harm; the panel therefore considered absolute effects summarised across risk strata. SGLT-2 inhibitors are associated with little or no effect on acute kidney injury requiring dialysis, bone fractures, lower limb amputations, ketoacidosis, genital infections, or symptomatic hypovolaemia, although a residual possibility of harms at the individual patient level remains.Understanding the recommendationIn order to apply recommendations, clinicians must appropriately identify adults with CKD, consider the underlying aetiology, and risk stratify them based on glomerular filtration rate (estimated or measured) and degree of albuminuria. In addition to classifying individuals into risk strata, further estimation of a given patient’s risk based on the extent of their kidney disease and other comorbidities may be warranted to inform individual-level decisions and shared decision making. Available risk calculators may help estimate a given patient’s risk of CKD progression and complications.