Mixing Performance Research Articles

Psychometric properties of MG-ADL items and MG-ADL score: An assessment of distributional characteristics, validity and factor structure in two large datasets

BackgroundThe Myasthenia Gravis–Activities of Daily Living scale (MG-ADL) is an 8-item outcome measure to assess symptoms and functional limitations in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. The MG-ADL score is an equally weighted level sum score that is used as primary outcome measures in clinical trials, in clinical practice, and as an end-point in health economic evaluation. This data analysis aims to obtain detailed knowledge of measurement properties of MG-ADL items and the MG-ADL score. MethodsCross-sectional data from a real-world prospective study (MRW) were combined with longitudinal data from the ADAPT trial. Outcome measures included were MG-ADL, Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis score (QMG), MG 15-item Quality of Life (MG-QOL15r) and EQ-5D-5L. Patients were categorized by their Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification. The following measurement properties were assessed: distributional characteristics, inter-item correlation, convergent, known groups and construct validity and internal factor structure. ResultsCorrelations of items within MG-ADL dimensions were moderate, while MG-ADL correlations between comparable MG-QOL15r and QMG items were mixed. Known groups validity for the MG-ADL score was demonstrated for MGFA class. Mean MG-ADL item level scores by MGFA class demonstrated construct validity. PCA, including all four outcome measures, resulted in a nine factor solution. DiscussionPsychometric properties of individual MG-ADL items were moderate to good. This study showed that the MG-ADL adequately captures the multidimensional heterogeneous nature of MG. This is, however, accompanied by mixed psychometric performance of the MG-ADL score, which may complicate health economic modelling.Registration: MyRealWorld-MG was registered on November 25, 2019, with registration numberNCT04176211. The ADAPT randomized clinical trial is registered atClinicalTrials.gov(NCT03669588).

Resurface of rubber modified asphalt mixture with stress absorbing membrane interlayer: From laboratory to field application

The increasing concern over tire pollution, exacerbated by the improper disposal of waste tires, serves as the backdrop for this research, which aims to explore the efficacy of incorporating ground tire rubber (GTR) into asphalt mixtures enhanced with a stress-absorbing membrane interlayer (SAMI). In this study, three variations of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) were evaluated: a conventional mix, a rubber-modified asphalt mixture (RMA), and a trans-polyoctenamer rubber (TOR) modified asphalt mixture in the laboratory. The assessment focused on the high and low-temperature performance of the asphalt mix and binder. Key findings from the laboratory tests indicate that the integration of a SAMI layer and GTR as additives markedly boosts the crack resistance of the asphalt mixture. Despite a reduction in fracture energy across all three HMA types following long-term aging, the GTR-modified HMA maintained superior fracture energy relative to the conventional mix. Initially, the inclusion of GTR adversely affected the mixture's rutting resistance. However, after undergoing long-term aging, both the conventional and GTR-modified HMAs exhibited exceptional rutting and moisture damage resistance. Field noise assessments further demonstrated that GTR-enhanced pavements produced noise levels approximately 2 dB lower than those of standard asphalt pavements. Additionally, pavements lacking a SAMI layer manifested low-severity cracking, with an average cracking frequency occurring every 2 ∼ 6 m, whereas pavements equipped with a SAMI layer exhibited no cracking following two winter seasons. The rubber asphalt overlay may increase the leaching of 6PPD-quinone, but the SAMI layer helps reduce tire wear particle generation by preventing road cracking. Rubber asphalt overlay leaching tests resulted in 6PPD-quinone concentrations lower than currently available toxicity data (LC50 for Coho Salmon, 0.095 ug/L). In conclusion, the utilization of dry-processed rubber asphalt mixes alongside a SAMI layer in pavement construction not only has the potential to extend the service life of pavements but also contributes to the production of quieter road surfaces. This study underscores the environmental and functional benefits of incorporating rubber modifications into asphalt pavements, presenting a viable strategy for mitigating tire pollution through the reuse of waste tires in infrastructure.

A Māori data governance assessment of the NZ COVID Tracer app

PurposeDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the NZ COVID Tracer App (NZCTA) was released as a digital intervention to support contact tracing processes in Aotearoa New Zealand. This paper examines whether NZCTA met the data governance requirements of the Indigenous Māori people. Māori are an interesting case study as they have unique Treaty and data sovereignty rights, and a higher risk of COVID-related mortality.MethodsThe NZCTA was assessed against 24 criteria drawn from the Māori Data Governance Model. The assessment drew on documentary sources and the authors’ knowledge of NZCTA and contact tracing process. Each criteria was assessed as ‘met’, ‘partially met’ or ‘not met’.ResultsOur retrospective assessment showed a mixed performance against the Māori Data Governance Model, with NZCTA only fulfilling seven of the 24 model criteria and failing to meet nine.ConclusionThere is significant room for improvement in future digital health interventions for Māori. Much work remains to be done in the Aotearoa public sector to uphold Māori data sovereignty and address systemic barriers to genuine partnership with Māori.

Optimization of passive micromixers: effects of pillar configuration and gaps on mixing efficiency

Chemical bioreactions play a significant role in many of the microfluidic devices, and their applications in biomedical science have seen substantial growth. Given that effective mixing is vital for initiating biochemical reactions in many applications, micromixers have become increasingly prevalent for high-throughput assays. In this research, a numerical study using the finite element method was conducted to examine the fluid flow and mass transfer characteristics in novel micromixers featuring an array of pillars. The study utilized two-dimensional geometries. The impact of pillar configuration on mixing performance was evaluated using concentration distribution and mixing index as key metrics. The study explores the effects of pillar array design on mixing performance and pressure drop, drawing from principles such as contraction–expansion and split-recombine. Two configurations of pillar arrays, slanted and arrowhead, are introduced, each undergoing investigation regarding parameters such as pillar diameter, gap size between pillar groups, distance between pillars, and vertical shift in pillar groups. Subsequently, optimal micromixers are identified, exhibiting mixing efficiency exceeding 99.7% at moderate Reynolds number (Re = 1), a level typically challenging for micromixers to attain high mixing efficiency. Notably, the pressure drop remains low at 1102 Pa. Furthermore, the variations in mixing index over time and across different positions along the channel are examined. Both configurations demonstrate short mixing lengths and times. At a distance of 4300 μm from the inlet, the slanted and arrowhead configurations yielded mixing indices of 97.2% and 98.9%, respectively. The micromixers could provide a mixing index of 99.5% at the channel’s end within 8 s. Additionally, both configurations exceeded 90% mixing indices by the 3 s. The combination of rapid mixing, low pressure drop, and short mixing length positions the novel micromixers as highly promising for microfluidic applications.

Low-temperature performance and micro-structure of warm mix recycled composite aged asphalt

Given the cold winters in Inner Mongolia, the low-temperature performance of asphalt pavement is one of the key factors affecting the service life of roads. This study focuses on commonly used SBS modified asphalt and investigates the coupling effect of adverse factors such as solar radiation, high temperature, and precipitation on road surface asphalt. The objective is offer insights for improving the applicability and service life of warm mix recycled asphalt in cold regions. By using indoor simulation aging equipment, asphalt subjected to hot oxygen aging, composite water aging, and composite ultraviolet aging was prepared to investigate the low-temperature performance of warm mix recycled asphalt. Additionally, to explore the synergistic effect of new asphalt, regenerant, and warm mix agent on the regeneration of aged asphalt, this study analyzes the low-temperature performance and microstructure changes of recycled asphalt through bending beam rheometer (BBR) test, atomic force microscopy (AFM) test, and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test. The results show that as the degree of aging increases, the low-temperature crack resistance performance of asphalt deteriorates. Additionally, after the regeneration of aged asphalt, the damping ratio and dissipation energy ratio of warm mix recycled asphalt slightly enhances compared to hot mix recycled asphalt. Furthermore, the incorporation of a warm mix agent enhances the asphalt’s fluidity, viscosity, surface toughness, and further its low-temperature performance. The AFM test results show that the synergistic effect of warm mix agents and regeneration effectively restores the microstructure and surface roughness of asphalt. Moreover, the warm mix agent improves the dispersion uniformity of the SBS modifier in asphalt, helping prevent the agglomeration of asphalt slurry. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of asphalt through FTIR test demonstrates that the mechanisms of warm mix agents and regeneration on new and aged asphalt are a physical process. New asphalt and regeneration supplement the internal lightweight components of aged asphalt, enabling the restoration of most asphalt without affecting the structure of SBS modified asphalt. This project provides a theoretical basis for the engineering applicability of high content warm mix recycled asphalt (composed of 50 % aged asphalt) in large temperature range areas.

Performance of four different microalgae-based technologies in antibiotics removal under multiple concentrations of antibiotics and strigolactone analogue GR24 administration

The formation of symbionts by using different combinations of endophytic bacteria, microalgae, and fungi to purify antibiotics-containing wastewater is an effective and promising biomaterial technology. As it enhances the mixed antibiotics removal performance of the bio-system, this technology is currently extensively studied. Using exogenous supplementation of various low concentrations of the phytohormone strigolactone analogue GR24, the removal of various antibiotics from simulated wastewater was examined. The performances of Chlorella vulgaris monoculture, activated sludge–C. vulgaris–Clonostachys rosea, Bacillus licheniformis–C. vulgaris–C. rosea, and endophytic bacteria (S395-2)–C. vulgaris–C. rosea co-culture systems were systematically compared. Their removal capacities for tetracycline, oxytetracycline, and chlortetracycline antibiotics from simulated wastewater were assessed. Chlorella vulgaris–endophytic bacteria–C. rosea co-cultures achieved the best performance under 0.25 mg L−1 antibiotics, which could be further enhanced by GR24 supplementation. This result demonstrates that the combination of endophytic bacteria with microalgae and fungi is superior to activated sludge–B. licheniformis–microalgae–fungi systems. Exogenous supplementation of GR24 is an effective strategy to improve the performance of antibiotics removal from wastewater.

Study Of Mixing Enhancement Of The 3-D Acoustofluidic Mixer Using Digital In-Line Holographic Micro Particle Tracking Velocimetry

In this study, the 3-D flow patterns and mixing performances are investigated for an acoustofluidic Y-junction micromixer using Digitial In-line Holographic Micro-Particle Tracking Velocimetry (DIHμPTV) and epi-fluorescence flow visualization. Two parallel longitudinal spines were placed in the channel to induce sustaining solenoidal 3-D acoustic streaming vortices, which work as the secondary flow in the mixing channel to reduce the diffusion mixing length and in turn enhance the mixing performances. The two spines have a triangular cross-section, with a base width of 0.2mm and a height of 0.3mm, placed 1.2mm apart from each other in a 2.8mm width and 1mm height channel. The Y-junction has two configurations, one has the spines directly connected to the side wall at the Y-junction, and the other microchannel has a gap between the two spines and a flat junction shape. The driving mechanism is provided by two piezoelectric disks, operating at 12 kHz oscillation frequency and 20V peak-to-peak amplitude. The 3-D flow patterns were recorded by the DIHμPTV in two measurement volumes to fully cover the test section’s height. The holographic reconstruction scheme is based on the 1st Rayleigh-Sommerfeld solution with an extra deconvolution step to improve the accuracy of the reconstruction of the depth position. The deconvolution step utilizes a simulated hologram of the Point-Spread Function (PSF) and reduces the depth uncertainty during the deconvolution of the raw data. The mixing performances of the acoustofluidic Y-junction micro-mixers were evaluated by the epi-fluorescence experiments, and the mixing indices were calculated and compared to verify the improvements compared to the Yjunction micromixers without the acoustic streaming vortices. The results confirmed the improvement of the mixing and the sustaining 3-D flow patterns even with a high flow rate, which could not be achieved with 2-D sharp-edge obstructions tested previously. The novel configuration may have the potential to inspire designs of high-throughput and low-pressure loss active micro-mixers.

Bubble Induced Mixing In A Bubble Column With Counter-Current Liquid Flow

Bubble columns have been widely investigated over the last few decades, concentrating on the bubble parameters, and gas/liquid motion. However, mixing and often the resulting interaction between chemical reaction and hydrodynamics in the column are rarely analysed. For this reason, experiments with Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) applying Sulforhodamine G as fluorescent dye, and shadow imaging were performed in a square laboratory-scale counter-current flow bubble column at 21 different flow conditions and three different dye inlet positions. In these experiments the mixing efficiency was investigated by varying the bubble size, the gas and the liquid flow rates, to obtain the necessary data for a further understanding of mixing processes in bubbly flows. The strong influence of the bubble presence, their size and the counter-current liquid flow rate on mixing in the column is obvious from these results. Bubble induced mixing leads to a good homogenisation inside the column, compared to a flow without bubbles. Also, the larger the bubbles the higher the bubble induced upward velocity, which leads to a better mixing. The highest counter-current liquid flow rate led to a more concentrated dye jet, which was less dispersed than at lower liquid flow rates, while the moderate counter-current liquid flow rate (11.1 l· min-1) has been found optimal for mixing in the investigated cases. The combination of large bubbles generated with the 3.6 mm capillaries, and a moderate counter-current liquid flow rate led to the best mixing performance in the bubble column.

Parametric study on the influence of varying angled inlet channels on mixing performance in simple T micromixers and vortex T micromixers across a wide range of Reynolds numbers

Parametric study on the influence of varying angled inlet channels on mixing performance in simple T micromixers and vortex T micromixers across a wide range of Reynolds numbers

Acoustics-driven multifunctional microreactor bioinspired by Phylum Porifera for bidirectional pumping and mixing production of silica nanofluids

The Phylum Porifera is one of the most primitive multicellular animals without a mouth, digestive cavity, or central nervous system. Its pores are strewn with flagella inside. Phylum Porifera wiggles its flagella to inhale the seawater, which brings in oxygen, bacteria, microscopic algae, and other organic debris to feed on. Inspired by this natural system, a microreactor based on sharp-edge has been developed and applied in microfluidics to achieve bidirectional pumping and mixing. Here we demonstrate a multifunctional microreactor for bidirectional pumping and mixing that mimics the internal flagella of the Phylum Porifera. The microreactor is designed based on microscale nonlinear acoustics to achieve functionalities via the acoustic streaming generated by the vibration of sharp-edge under the acoustic field. Numerical simulation is conducted to investigate the effect of sharp-edge numbers, dip angles, spreading angles, spacing of sharp-edges, and channel width on the pumping performance. And the bidirectional pumping is verified by experiments. Similarly, numerical simulation and experimental validation are conducted to investigate the effect of flow rate, amplitude, and sharp-edge density on mixing performance. Finally, to verify the application potential and good mixing performance of the developed microreactor, silica nanofluids were synthesized with excellent stability and uniform particle size distribution. These results not only provide important guidelines for the rational design of functional nanomaterials, but also shed new light on the development of efficient microreactors.

Investigation of mixing techniques for full-strength-grade engineered cementitious composites (ECCs): Mechanical properties and microstructure

Mixing techniques significantly influence the performance of ECC by affecting both macro- and microstructural properties. Despite its importance, research on ECC mixing techniques remains limited, restricting broader exploration and application. This study investigates the effects of three mixing techniques using pan, handheld, and planetary mixers on the performance of full-strength-grade ECC, focusing on flowability, compressive strength, elasticity, tensile and flexural properties, and fiber bridging ability. CT scan-based 3D reconstructions provided insights into pore and fiber distribution. The findings indicate minimal variations in flowability, compressive strength, and elasticity across mixer types, all within 10 % of optimal performance. However, tensile strength showed significant variability at higher strength levels, with pan mixers exhibiting up to 72.25 % performance drop, while handheld mixers showed reductions of up to 25.78 %. Flexural performance remained robust across all mixers, with pan and handheld mixers achieving over 82 % and 92 % of the performance seen with planetary mixers, respectively. While porosity was similar across mixers at identical strength levels, pore size diversity increased with higher strength levels. Additionally, fiber distribution varied significantly. Planetary mixers achieved superior uniformity, whereas pan mixers exhibited significant clustering. These results provide a quantitative assessment of the mixing performance of different mixers, offering valuable guidance for both research and practical engineering applications.

Synergistic effect of nano-to-macro waste glass of various particle sizes on ultra-high-performance concrete: Tradeoff between mix design parameters and performance through a statistical design approach

Ultra-high-performance glass concrete (UHPGC) is engineered for strength, ductility, and durability, aiming to address environmental and economic concerns associated with traditional ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). In this approach, we individually substituted traditional UHPC components—cement (C), silica fume (SF), quartz sand (QS), and quartz powder (QP) with ground waste glass materials (GWG). Recognizing that the performance of UHPC is influenced by the chemical interactions and packing density of its constituents, which primarily depend on particle-size distribution, our current study focuses on the synergistic effects of these factors. We explored how nano to macro size GWG can simultaneously replace all traditional UHPC components and affect its properties. Employing the Design of Experiment allowed the establishment of statistical equations. Contour diagrams predicted the individual and synergetic effect of mix design parameters on UHPGC's fresh and mechanical properties, with a high correlation (R2 ≥ 0.98) and low error (≤8 %). Validation with 18 additional mixtures confirmed the models' precision. Our research established the production of a superior UHPGC with 40%–100 % lower traditional components (C, SF, QP, and QS) and 65 % less superplasticizer demand. The embodied energy, CO2 emissions, and production cost reduced by 65 %, 38 %, 36 %, and 32 %, respectively. This approach can enhance UHPGC's integrity and environmental sustainability.

Performance analysis of coaxial shear static mixer for hydrogen blending into natural gas

Blending a specific proportion of hydrogen into a natural gas (NG) pipeline network is an effective strategy for achieving long-distance, large-scale, and cost-effective hydrogen transport. Static mixers played a crucial role in this process. In this study, a coaxial shear static mixer with ring-shaped structures instead of turbulence elements is proposed. The mixer exhibited favorable mixing performance and low pressure loss. The flow characteristics of NG and hydrogen within the mixer were investigated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. The effects of the number of cavities, hydrogen pipe diameter, hydrogen blending ratio and pressure on the mixer performances were investigated, taking into account both mixing uniformity and pressure loss. When the number of cavities in the coaxial shear mixer increases to 48, the mixing uniformity reaches 95.43% (SMX is 95%), and the pressure loss is 67.02 Pa (SMX is 500 Pa).

Thermal and Hydrodynamic Measurements of a Novel Chaotic Micromixer to Enhance Mixing Performance

In this study, three-dimensional simulations were conducted on a new passive micromixer to assess the thermal and hydrodynamic behaviors of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids subjected to low generalized Reynolds numbers (0.1 to 50) and shear-thinning properties. To acquire a more profound comprehension of the qualitative and quantitative fluctuations in fluid fraction using the CFD Fluent Code, the mass mixing index, rheological behavior, performance index, mixing energy cost, mass fraction distributions, temperature contours, and pressure drop were compared to illustrate the importance of the mixer geometry in the context of two miscible fluids with varying inlet temperatures. The selected geometry is characterized by a robust chaotic flow that substantially enhances thermal and hydrodynamic performance across all Reynolds numbers. A mass mixing exceeding 72.5% is obtained when Re = 5, reaching 93.5% when Re = 50. Furthermore, the evolution of thermal mixing for all behavior indexes reaches a step of 98% with minimal pressure losses. This work enabled the demonstration of a chaotic geometry in a highly efficient mixing system, leading to enhanced thermal performance for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. The results of the hydrodynamic and thermal characterization of the mixing of shear-thinning fluids within the micromixers under investigation are conclusive.

Assessing economic landscapes: city rankings (2010–2022)

Urban assessment is crucial for understanding the dynamics of city development, identifying areas for improvement, and formulating targeted policies to enhance the quality of life for residents. This study focuses on evaluating Kazakhstan’s megacities across nine indicators grouped into financial and economic condition, business development, and living standards. Using comparative analysis and ranking methods, the study assesses budgetary allocations, population dynamics, industrial growth, and the impact of strategic investments on urban development. Drawing on current economic and demographic trends, the study examines the role of cities as drivers of economic growth and highlights the importance of addressing social and economic inequalities. Through a literature review, the study contextualizes the findings within the broader discourse on urbanization and economic development, emphasizing the need for nuanced strategies to address regional disparities. Methodologically, a rating system based on quantitative indicators from 2010 to 2022 is employed, with a heatmap visualization to illustrate city rankings across various indicators. Using aggregated data on key economic indicators, the cities were classified into three categories: high-ranking, mid-ranking and low-ranking. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of urban development in Kazakhstan and provides insights for policy formulation aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive growth across its megacities. The city ranking analysis depicts a varied economic landscape in Kazakhstani cities. High-ranked cities exhibit robust economic performance with low poverty rates, strong average salaries, and active retail trade, hinting at promising business prospects. Mid-ranked cities show mixed performances, while low-ranked cities face considerable economic challenges, including higher poverty, lower salaries, and potential declines in trade.

Evaluating the performance of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 on the Taiwan plastic surgery board examination

BackgroundChat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is a state-of-the-art large language model that has been evaluated across various medical fields, with mixed performance on licensing examinations. This study aimed to assess the performance of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 in answering questions from the Taiwan Plastic Surgery Board Examination. MethodsThe study evaluated the performance of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 on 1375 questions from the past 8 years of the Taiwan Plastic Surgery Board Examination, including 985 single-choice and 390 multiple-choice questions. We obtained the responses between June and July 2023, launching a new chat session for each question to eliminate memory retention bias. ResultsOverall, ChatGPT-4 outperformed ChatGPT-3.5, achieving a 59 % correct answer rate compared to 41 % for ChatGPT-3.5. ChatGPT-4 passed five out of eight yearly exams, whereas ChatGPT-3.5 failed all. On single-choice questions, ChatGPT-4 scored 66 % correct, compared to 48 % for ChatGPT-3.5. On multiple-choice, ChatGPT-4 achieved a 43 % correct rate, nearly double the 23 % of ChatGPT-3.5. ConclusionAs ChatGPT evolves, its performance on the Taiwan Plastic Surgery Board Examination is expected to improve further. The study suggests potential reforms, such as incorporating more problem-based scenarios, leveraging ChatGPT to refine exam questions, and integrating AI-assisted learning into candidate preparation. These advancements could enhance the assessment of candidates' critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in the field of plastic surgery.

Investigation of mixing and heat transfer characteristics of long-hole SK direct contact heat exchanger

In this study, in order to improve the efficiency of direct contact heat exchanger (DCHE), SK static mixers with different perforation index (PI) were applied. Numerical simulation (volume of fluid model) were used to investigate the performance of the static mixer, which shape was designed as long-holes, under fixed aspect and helical ratios. The feasibility and accuracy of numerical simulation results were verified by self-established direct contact heat transfer (DCHT) experimental platform. Under six different PI values (0 %, 10 %, 18 %, 26 %, 32 %, and 38 %), the heat transfer performance of DCHE was evaluated by applying two heat transfer mediums (THERMINOL62 and R141b). The results indicated that the gaseous working medium outlet temperature, turbulence intensity, turbulence kinetic energy, and volumetric heat transfer coefficient (VHTC) of the system showed an increasing trend as PI increased from 0 % to 32 %, then a decreasing trend can be observed from 32 % to 38 %. The maximum turbulence intensity and turbulence kinetic energy of 17.56 % and 0.015 m2/s2 can be found in PI = 32 %, as well as a maximum enhancement ratio of 49 % in VHTC compared to PI = 0 % can be achieved. In addition, only a small pressure drop increase is observed in PI = 32 % compared to PI = 0 %.

Green innovation drives globalization: a longitudinal case study of Angel Yeast’s evolution from a start-up to a world-class manufacturer

In the increasingly competitive global market, emerging market companies, represented by China, have shown mixed performance during their development process. Many companies grow rapidly in the early stages of development but cannot maintain long-term growth. How to achieve sustainable development has become a major challenge for emerging market companies, and green innovation is considered an effective way to address this issue. Based on the resource-based view, this paper conducts a longitudinal case study on Angel Yeast as the research subject, dividing the development process of Angel Yeast into three stages: the start-up period (1986-2000), the growth period (2000-2010), and the maturity period (2010-present), discussing how Angel Yeast has grown from a small start-up company to a world-class manufacturer. The study finds that Angel Yeast has utilized its unique resources at different stages of development for green technology innovation, green product innovation, green management innovation, green marketing innovation, green supply chain management, and green organizational culture construction, enabling Angel Yeast to gain a sustained competitive advantage and grow into a global leader in the yeast industry. This paper expands the research on the evolution of emerging market companies under the resource-based view theory and enriches the understanding of the role of green innovation in the growth process of enterprises.

Marketing Mix Strategies of a Coffee Shop in China: Basis for An Improved Marketing Plan

This research investigates the marketing mix strategies of a coffee shop in China, aiming to enhance its marketing plan. Utilizing a descriptive study approach, the study comprehensively profiles the coffee shop company and its marketing strategies and weaknesses. The company, identified as Manner Coffee Enterprise Management China Co. Ltd., operates as a Limited Liability Company, falls under the category of a large enterprise, employs around 50 individuals, and boasts over 25 years of experience. The coffee shop's focus on delivering premium coffee aligns with its mission of sharing the Manner Coffee Experience within China. The study analyzes consumer-respondent perspectives on the coffee shop's marketing mix strategies, covering Product, Price, Place, Promotion, Performance, Positioning, Process, and People. The findings indicate consensus on most strategies, with identified weaknesses serving as potential areas for improvement. Furthermore, the research underscores the value of strategic marketing planning by highlighting its role in aligning business goals with impactful ideas. This study provides a comprehensive framework for a strategic plan, including strategies, departmental considerations, and anticipated outcomes. By identifying strengths and weaknesses within the marketing mix strategies, this research enhances the coffee shop's marketing plan, contributing to its successful engagement with the discerning Chinese consumer base.

Investigation on mixing performance of the mini-fluidized bed

Mini-fluidized beds (MFBs) can significantly enhance the mass transfer, heat transfer and mixing process. In this study, planar laser induced fluorescence method (PLIF) was used to evaluate the mixing performance in liquid-solid mini-fluidized beds. In contrast to the particle-free tubes, the relative mixing index, mixing length, mixing time, specific power consumption, mixing effectiveness and energy efficiency of mini-fluidized beds with inner diameters of 1–3 mm were analyzed. The relative mixing index of the mini-fluidized beds is 3.07–9.55 times that of the particle-free tubes under the same conditions, and the mixing length and time are reduced by 45.11% ∼ 99.59%. When the bed-to-particle diameter ratio is 13.86, the optimal operating voidage is about 0.76, which corresponds to the maximum mixing effectiveness and mixing energy efficiency. The mixing enhancement of the mini-fluidized bed system was evaluated, which provides a theoretical basis for the new application of microstructures in mini-fluidized bed reactors.