Interlaminar delamination damage is a common and typical defect in the context of structural damage in carbon fiber-reinforced resin matrix composites. The technology to identify such damage is crucial for improving the safety and reliability of structures. In this paper, we fabricated carbon fiber-reinforced composite laminates with different degrees of delamination damage, conducted static load experiments on them and used femtosecond fiber Bragg grating sensors (fsFBG) to determine their structural state to investigate the effects of delamination damage on their performance. We constructed a model to identify damage based on the deep residual shrinkage network, and used experimental data to enable it to identify varying degrees of delamination damage to carbon fiber-reinforced composites with an accuracy of 97.98%.

Leader exemplification involves implicit and explicit claims of high moral values made by a leader. We employed a 2 × 3 experimental design with samples of 265 students in Study 1 and 142 working adults in Study 2 to examine the effects of leader exemplification (exemplification versus no exemplification) and ethical conduct (self-serving, self-sacrificial, and self-other focus) on perceived leader authenticity, trust in leader, and organizational advocacy. In Study 1, we found that exemplification produced elevated levels of perceived authenticity, trust, and advocacy in the form of employment and investment recommendations. We also showed that leader ethical conduct moderated this effect, as ratings were highest following a leader’s self-sacrificial conduct, lowest for self-serving conduct, and moderate for conduct reflecting self-other concerns. In Study 2, we replicated these findings for perceived authenticity and trust, but not organizational advocacy, which yielded mixed results. The leadership implications and future research directions are discussed.

We report on the pore size distribution and water retention of Beacon sandstone from Antarctica that harbours a cryptoendolithic community, predominantly lichens, just below the surface. We measured the pore size distribution, drying time and equilibrium relative humidity of sandstone samples that were colonized by lichens. The incremental pore volume distribution peaks at ~10 μm radius, but ~20% of the pore volume occurs for a radius < 0.02 μm. Water from snowmelt fills ~20% of the total pore volume. It takes ~4–5 days of evaporation to lose 90% of the water. As the rock loses water, the equilibrium relative humidity remains at 99% until an appreciable amount (80–90%) of the pore water is lost, after which the equilibrium relative humidity starts to decrease. The relative humidity remains at > 80% (68 h) long after the water content falls to < 98% (19 h) - the point at which liquid water is estimated no longer to be present. Lichens can remain active in air with high relative humidity (> 80%). Thus, the pore size distribution of the sandstone may play a role in explaining why lichens dominate these sandstones.

A stream of free-falling particles from a rectangular hopper, hereafter called a ‘curtain’, was characterised systematically using a well-resolved, non-intrusive optical shadowgraphic method, to reveal both an additional axial region and an additional dilute region distributed laterally on either side of the curtain, relative to those identified previously. The effects of particle size and hopper outlet thickness on the evolution of the particle curtain were separately isolated, whilst measuring particle mass flow rate. The curtains were characterised into four distinct axial regions, namely a near-field expansion region near to the hopper exit, a neck zone where the curtain contracts, a region of intermediate-field expansion and a far field with particles reaching terminal velocity. The initial expansion half-angle, $2.3^{\circ } \le \alpha \le 4.8^{\circ }$, was found to be insensitive to particle size, but to increase with hopper outlet thickness. The ‘trough’ in the neck zone was deduced to be caused by a pressure gradient driven by particle acceleration. The curtain expansion rate at the intermediate field was found to increase with a decrease in particle size and hopper outlet thickness. The outermost dilute-particle region was deduced to be caused by collisions, induced by gradients in the velocity profile near to the hopper exit. New dimensionless analysis reveals that the dynamics of curtains can be characterised broadly into two regimes, one in which the aerodynamics is dominant and the other where it is weak. Curtain transmittance was found to scale with the Froude number, highlighting the importance of particle momentum.

Ridge B is one of the least studied areas in Antarctica but has been considered to be a potential location for the oldest ice on Earth. Among important parameters for calculating where very old ice may exist, geothermal heat flux (GHF) is critical but poorly understood. Here, GHF is determined by quantifying the transitions between dry and wet basal conditions using a radioglaciological method applied to airborne radio-echo sounding data. GHF is then constrained by a thermodynamic model matched to the transitions. The results show that GHF in Ridge B varies locally and ranges from 48.5 to 65.1 mW m−2, with an average value of 58.0 mW m−2, which is consistent with the current known GHF constrained by subglacial lakes and derived from Vostok ice core temperature measurements. Our work highlights the value of considering local GHF when locating the oldest ice in this potential region or other regions.

Ice rises hold valuable records revealing the ice dynamics and climatic history of Antarctic coastal areas from the Last Glacial Maximum to today. This history is often reconstructed from isochrone radar stratigraphy and simulations focusing on Raymond arch evolution beneath the divides. However, this relies on complex ice-flow models where many parameters are unconstrained by observations. Our study explores quad-polarimetric, phase-coherent radar data to enhance understanding near ice divides and domes, using Hammarryggen Ice Rise (HIR) as a case study. Analysing a 5 km profile intersecting the dome, we derive vertical strain rates and ice-fabric properties. These align with ice core data near the summit, increasing confidence in tracing signatures from the dome to the flanks. The Raymond effect is evident, correlating with surface strain rates and radar stratigraphy. Stability is inferred over millennia for the saddle connecting HIR to the mainland, but dome ice-fabric appears relatively young compared to 2D model predictions. In a broader context, quad-polarimetric measurements provide valuable insights into ice-flow models, particularly for anisotropic rheology. Including quad-polarimetric data advances our ability to reconstruct past ice flow dynamics and climatic history in ice rises.

With the in-depth study of thin-film structures, nonuniform thin films with rigid elements have been applied in the aerospace and flexible electronics industries. For thin-film structures with rigid elements, there is an interaction force between the rigid element and the thin film; therefore, the wrinkling mode of the thin film changes under the influence of the interaction force. In this study, a wrinkle model was developed to predict the wrinkle morphology of thin-film structures with rigid elements on the diagonal. First, the wrinkle patterns of the rigid elements were observed at different positions using tensile experiments. Then, the relationship between the tilt of the rigid element and the wrinkle wavelength was investigated using a finite-element eigenvalue buckling analysis. Finally, local wrinkling caused by the perturbed stress of the rigid element was introduced, and a wrinkling model of a square thin film with rigid elements on the diagonal under tension was established. The theoretical analysis results were compared with simulation and experimental results, demonstrating that the model can accurately describe the wrinkle patterns of thin-film structures containing rigid elements on the diagonal under tension.

This contribution focuses on the abatement with hydrogen of CO2 and non-CO2 emissions. It is agenda-setting in two respects. Firstly, it challenges the globally accepted hydrocarbon sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pathway to sustainability and recommends that our industry accelerates along the hydrogen pathway to ‘green’ aviation. Secondly, it reports a philosophical and analytical investigation of appropriate accuracy on abatement strategies for nitrogen oxides and contrails of large hydrogen airliners. For the second contribution, a comparison is made of nitrogen oxide emissions and contrail avoidance options of two hydrogen airliners and a conventional airliner of similar passenger capacity. The hydrogen aircraft are representative of the first and second innovation waves where the main difference is the weight of the hydrogen tanks. Flights of 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 nautical miles are explored. Cranfield’s state of the art simulators for propulsion system integration and gas turbine performance (Orion and Turbomatch) were used for this. There are two primary contributions to knowledge. The first is a new set of questions to be asked of SAF and hydrogen decarbonising features. The second is the quantification of the benefits from hydrogen on non-CO2 emissions. For the second generation of long-range hydrogen-fuelled aircraft having gas turbine propulsion, lighter tanks (needing less thrust and lower gas temperatures) are anticipated to reduce NOx emissions by over 20%; in the case of contrails, the preliminary findings indicate that regardless of the fuel, contrails could largely be avoided with fuel-burn penalties of a few per cent. Mitigating action is only needed for a small fraction of flights. For conventional aircraft this penalty results in more CO2, while for hydrogen aircraft the additional emission is water vapour. The conclusion is that our research community should continue to consider hydrogen as the key ‘greening’ option for aviation, notwithstanding the very significant costs of transition.

A commercial bentonite (primarily smectite) from Fischer Scientific Company (F bentonite) and a natural bentonite from Peru (P bentonite) were used in the preparation of pillared clays with polyoxymetal cations of Al that were subsequently modified with Ce and La. Several Al/metal ratios (5 and 9) were used to investigate the effects on the thermal and hydrothermal stability of these synthetic clays. The structure of these materials was studied by X-ray diffraction. Isotherms were determined by N2 adsorption. Thermal stability was determined using thermogravimetric (TG) measurements and ara-monia-TPD (temperature programmed desorption) was used to obtain acidity data. These materials exhibited basal spacings from 16 to 20 Å, with surface areas from 239 to 347 m2g−1, with microporosity contributing from 50 to 80% of the total surface area. Pillared clays prepared from F bentonite generally showed larger basal spacings and surface areas than those prepared from P bentonite. Pillared clays modified with Ce or La did not show any apparent structural changes relative to the Al-pillared clays. Pillared clays modified with Ce and La had similar acid properties as Al-pillared clays. In contrast, the thermal and hydrothermal stabilities of these materials were greater than Al-pillared clays. However, Ce-pillared clay appears to be more effective than La-pillared clay in delaying the dehydroxylation of pillared clays with increasing temperature. The intercalation of Ce and La into Al-pillared clays improved the thermal stability, which may increase the utility of these materials as catalysts.

Bentonite- and sepiolite-supported copper catalysts have been prepared either by adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions of copper nitrate at pH ~4.5 or by adsorption of a [Cu(NH3)4]2+ complex from an ammonia solution of CuSO4 at pH ~9.5. The structure and composition of the calcined preparations have been studied by X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, and energy dispersive X-rays. Textural characteristics have derived from the analysis of the adsorption-desorption isotherms of N2. All catalysts have been tested for the dehydrogenation of methanol to methyl formate. For this reaction, bentonite-based catalysts were found to have very little activity, which indicates that copper located in the inter-lamellar spaces is inaccessible to methanol molecules. On the contrary, copper-sepiolite catalysts showed a very high specific activity even for those catalysts with a very low copper content. The chemical state of copper in the catalysts on-stream has been revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray-induced Auger techniques. In most of the catalysts Cu+ is the dominant copper species.

Ultra-processed plant-based foods, such as plant-based burgers, have gained in popularity. Particularly in the out-of-home (OOH) environment, evidence regarding their nutritional profile and environmental sustainability is still evolving. Plant-based burgers available at selected OOH sites were randomly sampled in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Lisbon and London. Plant-based burgers (patty, bread and condiment) (n 41) were lab analysed for their energy, macronutrients, amino acids and minerals content per 100 g and serving and were compared with reference values. For the plant-based burgers, the median values per 100 g were 234 kcal, 20·8 g carbohydrates, 3·5 g dietary fibre and 12·0 g fat, including 0·08 g TFS and 2·2 g SFA. Protein content was 8·9 g/100 g, with low protein quality according to amino acid composition. Median Na content was 389 mg/100 g, equivalent to 1 g salt. Compared with references, the median serving provided 31% of energy intake based on a 2000 kcal per day and contributed to carbohydrates (17–28%), dietary fibre (42%), protein (40%), total fat (48%), SFA (26%) and Na (54%). One serving provided 15–23% of the reference values for Ca, K and Mg, while higher contributions were found for Zn, Mn, P and Fe (30–67%). The ultra-processed plant-based burgers provide protein, dietary fibre and essential minerals and contain relatively high levels of energy, Na and total fats. The amino acid composition indicated low protein quality. The multifaceted nutritional profile of plant-based burgers highlights the need for manufacturers to implement improvements to better support healthy dietary habits, including reducing energy, Na and total fats.

Feeding whole prey to felids has shown to benefit their gastrointestinal health. Whether this effect is caused by the chemical or physical nature of whole prey is unknown. Fifteen domestic cats, as a model for strict carnivores, were either fed minced mice (MM) or whole mice (WM), to determine the effect of food structure on digestibility, mean urinary excretion time (MUET) of 15N, intestinal microbial activity and fermentation products. Faeces samples were collected after feeding all cats a commercially available extruded diet (EXT) for 10 d before feeding for 19 d the MM and WM diets with faeces and urine collected from day 11 to 15. Samples for microbiota composition and determination of MUET were obtained from day 16 to 19. The physical structure of the mice diet (minced or not) did not affect large intestinal fermentation as total SCFA and branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA), and most biogenic amine (BA) concentrations were not different (P > 0·10). When changing from EXT to the mice diets, the microbial community composition shifted from a carbolytic (Prevotellaceae) to proteolytic (Fusobacteriaceae) profile and led to a reduced faecal acetic to propionic acid ratio, SCFA, total BCFA (P < 0·001), NH3 (P = 0·04), total BA (P < 0·001) and para-cresol (P = 0·08). The results of this study indicate that food structure within a whole-prey diet is less important than the overall diet type, with major shifts in microbiome and decrease in potentially harmful fermentation products when diet changes from extruded to mice. This urges for careful consideration of the consequences of prey-based diets for gut health in cats.

The target backsheath field acceleration mechanism is one of the main mechanisms of laser-driven proton acceleration (LDPA) and strongly depends on the comprehensive performance of the ultrashort ultra-intense lasers used as the driving sources. The successful use of the SG-II Peta-watt (SG-II PW) laser facility for LDPA and its applications in radiographic diagnoses have been manifested by the good performance of the SG-II PW facility. Recently, the SG-II PW laser facility has undergone extensive maintenance and a comprehensive technical upgrade in terms of the seed source, laser contrast and terminal focus. LDPA experiments were performed using the maintained SG-II PW laser beam, and the highest cutoff energy of the proton beam was obviously increased. Accordingly, a double-film target structure was used, and the maximum cutoff energy of the proton beam was up to 70 MeV. These results demonstrate that the comprehensive performance of the SG-II PW laser facility was improved significantly.