This study aims to investigate the effects of the vine of Lonicera japonica Thunb (VLT) and marine-derived Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-9 (BA-9) supplementation on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and gut microbiota of goat kids. A total of 32 4-week-old kids were randomly assigned into four groups: a control group (CON), a group supplemented with 0.3% BA-9 (BA-9), a group supplemented with 2% VLT (VLT), and a group supplemented with both 0.3% BA-9 and 2% VLT (MIX). The results indicated that VLT supplementation significantly increased both average daily (P < 0.001) and total weight gain (TWG) (P < 0.001), while BA-9 alone had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the average daily and TWG. Biomarker analysis of oxidative stress revealed that supplementation of VLT or BA-9 alone enhanced antioxidant capacity. The MIX group showing a higher total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) compared with the CON, VLT, and BA-9 groups (P < 0.05). Plasma albumin (ALB) levels were significantly increased in the both VLT and BA-9 groups. Microbiota analysis revealed significant differences in α-diversity and β-diversity between the MIX and CON groups, with specific genera such as Prevotellaceae_UCG.004 and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group negatively correlated with average daily gain (ADG), while Alistipes was positively correlated with T-AOC. These findings suggest that the combined supplementation of VLT and BA-9 can significantly enhance growth performance and antioxidant capacity in goat kids by modulating the composition of gut microbiota and reducing oxidative stress.

Cryogenic carbon capture (CCC) is an innovative technology to desublimate $\text {CO}_2$ out of industrial flue gases. A comprehensive understanding of $\text {CO}_2$ desublimation and sublimation is essential for widespread application of CCC, which is highly challenging due to the complex physics behind. In this work, a lattice Boltzmann (LB) model is proposed to study $\text {CO}_2$ desublimation and sublimation for different operating conditions, including the bed temperature (subcooling degree $\Delta T_s$), gas feed rate (Péclet number $Pe $) and bed porosity ($\psi$). The $\text {CO}_2$ desublimation and sublimation properties are reproduced. Interactions between convective $\text {CO}_2$ supply and desublimation/sublimation intensity are analysed. In the single-grain case, $Pe $ is suggested to exceed a critical value $Pe _c$ at each $\Delta T_s$ to avoid the convection-limited regime. Beyond $Pe _c$, the $\text {CO}_2$ capture rate ($v_c$) grows monotonically with $\Delta T_s$, indicating a desublimation-limited regime. In the packed bed case, multiple grains render the convective $\text {CO}_2$ supply insufficient and make CCC operate under the convection-limited mechanism. Besides, in small-$\Delta T_s$ and high-$Pe $ tests, $\text {CO}_2$ desublimation becomes insufficient compared with convective $\text {CO}_2$ supply, thus introducing the desublimation-limited regime with severe $\text {CO}_2$ capture capacity loss ($\eta _d$). Moreover, large $\psi$ enhances gas mobility while decreasing cold grain volume. A moderate porosity $\psi _c$ is recommended for improving the $\text {CO}_2$ capture performance. By analysing $v_c$ and $\eta _d$, regime diagrams are proposed in $\Delta T_s$–$Pe $ space to show distributions of convection-limited and desublimation-limited regimes, thus suggesting optimal conditions for efficient $\text {CO}_2$ capture. This work develops a viable LB model to examine CCC under extensive operating conditions, contributing to facilitating its application.

In 2017, Brosseau & Vlahovska (Phys. Rev. Lett, vol. 119, no. 3, 2017, p. 034501) found that, in a strong electric field, a weakly conductive, low-viscosity droplet immersed in a highly conductive, high-viscosity medium formed a lens shape, and liquid rings continuously detached from its equatorial plane and subsequently broke up into satellite droplets. This fascinating multiphase electrohydrodynamic (EHD) phenomenon is known as droplet equatorial streaming. In this paper, based on the unified lattice Boltzmann method framework proposed by Luo et al. (Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A Math. Phys. Engng Sci, vol. 379, no. 2208, 2021, p. 20200397), a novel lattice Boltzmann (LB) model is constructed for multiphase EHD by coupling the Allen–Cahn type of multiphase LB model and two new LB equations to solve the Poisson equation of the electric field and the conservation equation of the surface charge. Using the proposed LB model, we successfully reproduced, for the first time, the complete process of droplet equatorial streaming, including the continuous ejection and breakup of liquid rings on the equatorial plane. In addition, it is found that, under conditions of high electric field strength or significant electrical conductivity contrast, droplets exhibit fingering equatorial streaming that was unknown before. A power-law relationship is discovered for droplet total charge evolution and a theoretical model is then proposed to describe the droplet radius and height over time. The breakup of liquid rings is found to be dominated by capillary instability, while the breakup of liquid fingers is governed by the end-pinching mechanism. Finally, a phase diagram is constructed for fingering equatorial streaming and ring equatorial streaming, and a criterion equation is established for the phase boundary.

To investigate the influence of inertia and slip on the instability of a liquid film on a fibre, a theoretical framework based on the axisymmetric Navier–Stokes equations is proposed via linear instability analysis. The model reveals that slip significantly enhances perturbation growth in viscous film flows, whereas it exerts minimal influence on flows dominated by inertia. Moreover, under no-slip boundary conditions, the dominant instability mode of thin films remains unaltered by inertia, closely aligning with predictions from a no-slip lubrication model. Conversely, when slip is introduced, the dominant wavenumber experiences a noticeable reduction as inertia decreases. This trend is captured by an introduced lubrication model with giant slip. Direct numerical simulations of the Navier–Stokes equations are then performed to further confirm the theoretical findings at the linear stage. For the nonlinear dynamics, no-slip simulations show complex vortical structures within films, driven by fluid inertia near surfaces. Additionally, in scenarios with weak inertia, a reduction in the volume of satellite droplets is observed due to slip, following a power-law relationship.

In this paper, we propose a numerical model to simulate gas–liquid–solid interaction problems, coupling the lattice Boltzmann method and discrete element method (LBM–DEM). A cascaded LBM is used to simulate the liquid–gas flow field using a pseudopotential interaction model for describing the liquid–gas multiphase behaviour. A classical DEM resorting to fictitious overlaps between the particles is used to simulate the multiple-solid-particle system. A multiphase fluid–solid two-way coupling algorithm between LBM and DEM is constructed. The model is validated by four benchmarks: (i) single disc sedimentation, (ii) single floating particle on a liquid–gas interface, (iii) sinking of a horizontal cylinder and (iv) self-assembly of three particles on a liquid–gas interface. Our simulations agree well with the numerical results reported in the literature. Our proposed model is further applied to simulate droplet impact on deformable granular porous media at pore scale. The dynamic droplet spreading process, the deformation of the porous media (composed of up to 1277 solid particles) as well as the invasion of the liquid into the pores are well captured, within a wide range of impact Weber number. The droplet spreading dynamics on particles is analysed based on the energy budget, which reveals mechanisms at play, showing the evolution of particle energy, surface energy and viscous dissipation energy. A scaling relation based on the impact Weber number is proposed to describe the maximum spreading ratio.

Cryogenic carbon capture (CCC) can preferentially desublimate $\text {CO}_2$ out of the flue gas. A widespread application of CCC requires a comprehensive understanding of $\text {CO}_2$ desublimation properties. This is, however, highly challenging due to the multiphysics behind it. This study proposes a lattice Boltzmann (LB) model to study $\text {CO}_2$ desublimation on a cooled cylinder surface during CCC. In two-dimensional (2-D) simulations, various $\text {CO}_2$ desublimation and capture behaviours are produced in response to different operation conditions, namely, gas velocity (Péclet number $\textit {Pe}$) and cylinder temperature (subcooling degree $\Delta T_{sub}$). As $\textit {Pe}$ increases or $\Delta T_{sub}$ decreases, the desublimation rate gradually becomes insufficient compared with the $\text {CO}_2$ supply via convection/diffusion. Correspondingly, the desublimated solid $\text {CO}_2$ layer (SCL) transforms from a loose (i.e. cluster-like, dendritic or incomplete) structure to a dense one. Four desublimation regimes are thus classified as diffusion-controlled, joint-controlled, convection-controlled and desublimation-controlled regimes. The joint-controlled regime shows quantitatively a desirable $\text {CO}_2$ capture performance: fast desublimation rate, high capture capacity, and full cylinder utilization. Regime distributions are summarized on a $\textit {Pe}$–$\Delta T_{sub}$ space to determine operation parameters for the joint-controlled regime. Moreover, three-dimensional simulations demonstrate four similar desublimation regimes, verifying the reliability of 2-D results. Under regimes with loose SCLs, however, the desublimation process shows an improved $\text {CO}_2$ capture performance in three dimensions. This is attributed to the enhanced availability of gas–solid interface and flow paths. This work develops a reliable LB model to study $\text {CO}_2$ desublimation, which can facilitate applications of CCC for mitigating climate change.

Shaded coffee systems can mitigate climate change by fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in soil. Understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and the factors influencing SOC in coffee plantations are necessary for the development of sound land management practices to prevent land degradation and minimize SOC losses. This study was conducted in the main coffee-growing regions of Yunnan; SOC concentrations and storage of shaded and unshaded coffee systems were assessed in the top 40 cm of soil. Relationships between SOC concentration and factors affecting SOC were analysed using multiple linear regression based on the forward and backward stepwise regression method. Factors analysed were soil bulk density (ρb), soil pH, total nitrogen of soil (N), mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual moisture (MAM), mean annual precipitation (MAP) and elevations (E). Akaike's information criterion (AIC), coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and residual sum of squares (RSS) were used to describe the accuracy of multiple linear regression models. Results showed that mean SOC concentration and storage decreased significantly with depth under unshaded coffee systems. Mean SOC concentration and storage were higher in shaded than unshaded coffee systems at 20–40 cm depth. The correlations between SOC concentration and ρb, pH and N were significant. Evidence from the multiple linear regression model showed that soil bulk density (ρb), soil pH, total nitrogen of soil (N) and climatic variables had the greatest impact on soil carbon storage in the coffee system.

We report new U–Pb isotopic data for detrital zircons from Cambrian–Ordovician strata on the northern margin of the western Yangtze Block, which together with published U–Pb isotopic data for coeval strata in the South China Block, provide critical constraints on the provenance of these sediments and further shed light on the early Palaeozoic position of the South China Block in the context of Gondwana. Detrital zircons in this study yield four major age peaks in the early Palaeoproterozoic, early Neoproterozoic, middle Neoproterozoic and late Neoproterozoic – early Palaeozoic. The dominant age population of 900–700 Ma matches well with magmatic ages from the nearby Panxi–Hannan Belt, which indicates that Cambrian–Ordovician sedimentary rocks in the western Yangtze Block were mainly of local derivation. However, compilations of detrital zircon ages for the Cambrian–Ordovician strata from the Cathaysia Block and the eastern Yangtze Block show that both blocks are dominated by late Mesoproterozoic- and early Neoproterozoic-aged detrital zircons, which suggests a remarkable exotic input with typical Gondwana signatures. According to the integrated detrital zircon age spectra of the Cambrian–Ordovician sedimentary rocks from the entire South China Block and palaeocurrent data, the South China Block should have been linked with North India and Western Australia within East Gondwana. Specifically, the Cathaysia Block was located adjacent to Western Australia, while the Yangtze Block was connected with North India.

The Be-based materials with many particular properties lead to an important research subject. The investigation progresses in the fabrication technologies are introduced here, including main three kinds of Be-based materials, such as Be–Cu capsule, $\text{Be}_{2}\text{C}$ ablator and high-purity Be material. Compared with the pioneer workgroup on Be-based materials, the differences in Be–Cu target fabrication were described, and a grain refinement technique by an active hydrogen reaction for Be coating was proposed uniquely. $\text{Be}_{2}\text{C}$ coatings were first prepared by the DC reactive magnetron sputtering with a high deposition rate $({\sim}300~\text{nm}/\text{h})$. Pure polycrystalline $\text{Be}_{2}\text{C}$ films with uniform microstructures, smooth surface, high density $({\sim}2.2~\text{g}\cdot \text{cm}^{3})$ and good optical transparency were fabricated. In addition, the high-purity Be materials with metal impurities in a ppm magnitude were fabricated by the pyrolysis of organometallic Be.

We report a novel approach to the instantaneous photoinitiated synthesis of mixed anatase-rutile nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films with a three-dimensional nanostructure through pulsed white light irradiation of photosensitive Ti-organic precursor films. Pulsed photoinitiated pyrolysis accompanied by instantaneous self-assembly and crystallization occurred to form graphitic oxides-coated TiO2 nanograins. Subsequent pulsed light irradiation working as in situ pulsed photothermal treatment improved the crystalline quality of TiO2 film despite its low attenuation of light. The non-radiative recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes in TiO2 nanograins, coupled with inefficient heat dissipation due to low thermal conductivity, produces enough heat to provide the thermodynamic driving force for improving the crystalline quality. The graphitic oxides were reduced by pulsed photothermal treatment and can be completely removed by oxygen plasma cleaning. This photoinitiated nanofabrication technology opens a promising way for the low-cost and high-throughput manufacturing of nanostructured metal oxides as well as TiO2 nanocrystalline thin films.

The fruit plus accessory parts, and thus not only the fruit or seed, is the diaspore in some species of flowering plants. Atriplex centralasiatica, a summer annual salt-secreting cold-desert halophyte of central Asia that produces flat and humped diaspores, is such a species. The dispersal/germination units of this diaspore-heteromorphic species are fruits enclosed in persistent ‘bracteoles’. Germination of black and brown fruits (i.e. ‘bracteoles’ removed) of this species has been studied in some detail previously, but little attention has been given to the germination biology of the intact diaspores. The aim of this study was to compare the germination biology of the intact diaspores of A. centralasiatica, and their fates in the field during 12 months on the soil surface and buried at 5-cm depth. Fresh flat diaspores germinated to 42.7–51.3% in light (12-h photoperiod) and to 16.0–59.3% in constant dark, over a temperature range of 15–20/30°C, while no freshly matured humped diaspores did so under any temperature/light regime. Neither gibberellin (GA3) nor potassium nitrate (KNO3) had an effect on germination of either diaspore. Both diaspores readily imbibed water, and removal of ‘bracteoles’ released most of the dormancy. Thus, the ‘bracteoles’ are primarily responsible for diaspore dormancy in A. centralasiatica. Humped diaspores persisted for a longer period in the soil than flat ones. The germination requirements of intact natural dispersal/germination units of A. centralasiatica differ from those previously reported for fruits of this species.

Children with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1), a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from a mutation of the NF1 gene (17q11.2), often have difficulties with learning and attention, but there is little research in the early childhood years. In this study, the cognitive and psychosocial functioning of 40 young children with NF1 (ages 3 through 6) was examined and compared both to normative data and to a contrast group comprised of unaffected siblings and community members matched for age and socio-economic status (n = 37). Children with NF1 showed significantly weaker cognitive abilities across all domains and for the vast majority of subtests. Consistent with research in older children, a variety of patterns of intra-individual strength and weakness were present for young children with NF1. Few significant group differences in psychosocial functioning were observed, but the children with NF1 showed significantly greater functional communication problems than did the unaffected group. Overall, the results indicate that in participant groups matched for age and socioeconomic status, cognitive vulnerabilities are evident for close to half of young children with NF1, with some relations to psychosocial functioning, particularly functional communication, attention problems and social skills. (JINS, 2014, 1, 1–11)

In this work, a novel core–shell structured hybrid graphene oxide-encapsulated silica (GO–SiO2) was first fabricated via an electrostatic assembly between negatively charged graphene oxide (GO) sheets and positively charged sub-micro-sized silica. Then, the new kind of hybrid filler was used for the in situ preparation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/GO–SiO2 composites. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the prepared composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis measurements, and tensile test. It was found that GO could be covalently assembled onto the subsized silica surface via its plenty of functional groups that can also provide strong interaction with the PET. As a result, a uniform dispersion of GO–SiO2 hybrids and enhanced interfacial adhesion as well as improved mechanical property have been evidenced. The new concept of using GO as a potent inorganic fillers surface modifier may broaden the use of GO and provides a new idea for the design and fabrication of advanced polymer composites.

Realization of the Shan-Chen multiphase flow lattice Boltzmann model is considered in the framework of the higher-order Galilean invariant lattices. The present multiphase lattice Boltzmann model is used in two-dimensional simulation of droplet collisions at high Weber numbers. Results are found to be in a good agreement with experimental findings.

Fusion of metallic nanoparticles at both surfaces of silica colloids and nanoporous bulk materials has been utilized as an effective method to integrate inorganic and organic components into nanocomposite materials. When performed on substrates that have been modified with hydrophobic functional groups, aminosilica colloids doped with metallic nanoparticles through the ethylenediamine functional groups adhere to the substrates and self-assemble into nanocomposite film with its thickness to be the function of the time. On the contrary, without metal-bound functional groups, fusion of metallic nanoparticles can be induced at the interface of nanoporous silica when polymer is utilized as the mobile phase for metal nanoparticles inside of silica. Formation, mobilization, and fusion of metallic nanoparticles within the polymer phase can be simultaneously induced at 160 ˚C, during which reactions alter the physical appearance of the materials from transparent to silver metallic color. These two methods can combine with soft-lithography method to create functional structures that exhibit enhanced electrochemical property.