Turbulence damping above the cloud height in suspensions of concentrated slurries in stirred tanks

Poor mixing in the clear liquid layer above the cloud height has been reported by several authors. This study uses LDV measurements to quantify turbulence above the cloud using a liquid level of 1.5 T to remove the barrier of a free surface at H = T. A D = T/3, down-pumping PBT was used at an off-bottom clearance of C = T/3. Three slurries were tested at impeller speeds 0.8, 1, and 1.2N_js. The change in turbulence was quantified using the normalized root mean square (RMS) of the fluctuating velocity summed and averaged over each radial traverse. A significant difference between the fluctuating values of the cloud height—minimum, average, and maximum—was observed. The turbulence decays until the maximum cloud height. Beyond that, it remains constant and near zero. The effects of both particle size and solids concentration prove to be important.     

The active metal brazing of TZM-Mo and SiN ceramics

The active metal brazing of ceramics holds the opportunity to design metal-ceramic brazing processes without conventional metallization and nickel-plating steps. Because of their intermediate thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) properties, molybdenum and the TZM-Mo alloy (Mo-0.5Ti-0.08Zr) are attractive candidates for joining to silicon- nitride ceramics. The recently developed Fe-Ni-Co-based Thermo-Span? alloy, with reduced TCE from room temperature up to ≈400°C, is also an attractive candidate material for 700°C joint service applications. This article discusses the wetting, solid-state aging, and mechanical behavior of unalloyed molybdenum, TZM-Moalloy, Thermo-Span alloy, and silicon-nitride ceramic brazes made with three different active-metal braze alloys.     

Reaching the Fundamental Limitation in CO2 Reduction to CO with Single Atom Catalysts

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to value-added chemicals with renewable electricity is a promising method to decarbonize parts of the chemical industry. Recently, single metal atoms in nitrogen-doped carbon (MNC) have emerged as potential electrocatalysts for CO₂RR to CO with high activity and faradaic efficiency, although the reaction limitation for CO₂RR to CO is unclear. To understand the comparison of intrinsic activity of different MNCs, two catalysts are synthesized through a decoupled two-step synthesis approach of high temperature pyrolysis and low temperature metalation (Fe or Ni). The highly meso-porous structure results in the highest reported electrochemical active site utilization based on in situ nitrite stripping; up to 59±6% for NiNC. Ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirms the penta-coordinated nature of the active sites. The catalysts are amongst the most active in the literature for CO₂ reduction to CO. The density functional theory calculations (DFT) show that their binding to the reaction intermediates approximates to that of Au surfaces. However, it is found that the turnover frequencies (TOFs) of the most active catalysts for CO evolution converge, suggesting a fundamental ceiling to the catalytic rates.     

Entrepreneurial acquisitions,open innovation and UK high growth SMEs

This paper examines the dynamics of entrepreneurial acquisitions undertaken by UK high growth small and medium enterprises (SMEs). While entrepreneurial acquisitions are increasingly deployed by SMEs, little is known about their antecedents, motivational drivers and organisational outcomes. Drawing on detailed case study evidence from Scotland, the key factor found to be driving these acquisitions was the desire to augment and exploit technological complementarities between the acquiring and acquired firms. Acquisition can therefore be conceptualised as an advanced stage of the outside-in ‘open innovation’ strategies proactively used within these innovative SMEs. Firms executing this strategy typically have an acute propensity for risk, a desire for close customer engagement, effective business models and strong external orientation. The work suggests that greater attention should be paid within M&A theory to the dynamics of these types of smaller scale entrepreneurial acquisitions.     

Tunnel vision information: a paradox of ethics, economics, politics and science

BACKGROUND: Improvement in vision with spinal manipulation was first observed in the early 1970s. Reports of the phenomenon appeared in the 1980s in the popular press and at scientific meetings, but it was not until the mid-1990s that general discussion of the potential value of this knowledge occurred. Considering the far-reaching implications of the possible ability to improve brain function by spinal manipulation, the delay in consideration and implementation of this concept is a paradox in general terms and a total mystery in the case of the chiropractic profession. OBJECTIVE: To provide explanations for the delay in scientific assessment of the discovery that vision improves, in appropriate patients, when the spine is manipulated and to discuss the implications of this finding. This discovery is now called the "tunnel vision information." DISCUSSION: A schema of pathological hierarchy is depicted in which the level of intervention of spinal manipulation outranks other forms of treatment. The significance of this precedence is portrayed. Possible reasons for the failure to address this hierarchy in light of the tunnel vision information are discussed with reference to established protocols, medical politics, the presentation of the data, the failure of scientific editorship and the illogical aspects of the illness itself. CONCLUSION: In the future, the delay from the initial observation of the tunnel vision discovery to its free discussion in scientific literature may seem incongruous, particularly if the health benefits which it augurs are realized.     

Organizational Norm Congruency and Interpersonal Familiarity in E‐Mail: Examining Messages From Two Different Status Perspectives

Relying on SIDE theory, this 2 × 2 experimental design tested the effects of adherence to organizational norms and interpersonal familiarity in e‐mail messages from both superior and subordinate perspectives. Results reveal that using norm‐congruent e‐mail messages account for over 50% of the variance in both superior and subordinate attitudes toward the message and between 30% and 56% of the variance in perceptions of source credibility. Data from the superiors indicate that norm congruent e‐mail messages account for 14.4% of the variance in message compliance. Results from subordinates reveal an interaction effect that is consistent with SIDE‐based predictions. Subordinates believe superiors are most likely to comply with e‐mail requests from unfamiliar subordinates that are crafted in a manner congruent with organizational norms.     

On-line SPC with consideration of learning curve

This work identifies a link between on-line statistical process control (SPC) and the learning effect for the process standard deviation (PSD) caused by the quality improvement (QI) program. The learning curve (LC) is used to describe and forecast, and the exponentially weighted root mean square control chart is used to monitor the progress in reducing PSD. A modification of the quality control chart (QCC) that considers LC of PSD is proposed. The reduction rate of PSD may be large during the initial stage of the QI program, and influences QCC construction. Simulation is used to compare the shift-detecting ability of the Shewhart- control chart and EWMA- control chart, without- and with- consideration of LC. The EWMA- chart with consideration of LC performs best. In comparison, the Shewhart- chart without LC consideration has almost no shift-detecting ability when the shift magnitude of the process mean is small, leading to rendering quality control ineffective.