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We study a model system with nematic and magnetic order, within a channel geometry modeled by an interval, [−D, D]. The system is characterized by a tensor-valued nematic order parameter Q and a vector-valued magnetization M, and the observable states are modeled as stable critical points of an appropriately defined free energy which includes a nemato-magnetic coupling term, characterized by a parameter c. We (i) derive L ∞ bounds for Q and M; (ii) prove a uniqueness result in specified parameter regimes; (iii) analyze order reconstruction solutions, possessing domain walls, and their stabilities as a function of D and c and; (iv) perform numerical studies that elucidate the interplay of c and D for multistability.

The requirement for a training period prior to a choice feeding regime was assessed using 36 weaned piglets whose initial live weight was 6·2 (s.d. 1·21) kg. Two foods (H and L) were offeredad libitumas the choice and these were similar in energy but differed in crude protein (CP) concentration (291 g/kg and 155 g/kg fresh matter respectively). The pigs ivere subjected to one of three training treatments: treatment ALTERNATE allowed piglets the two foods separately on alternate days for 6 days, followed by a free choice of the two foods; treatment THREE allowed 3 days of one food followed by 3 days of the other prior to the free choice; treatment CHOICE gave the animals free choice immediately. Piglets on a fourth treatment, CONTROL, were given a single food M (242 g CP per kg fresh food) as a control. Weight gain (0·60, 0·59, 0·59 and 0·61 (s.e. 0·005) kg/day) and food intake (0·776, 0·752, 0·771 and 0·747 (s.e. 0·010) kg/day) did not differ significantly between treatments ALTERNATE, THREE, CHOICE and CONTROL respectively in the 19-day post-training period. A significant difference was seen in the protein consumption (0·145, 0·150, 0·139 and 0·177 (s.e. 0·005) kg/day). This together with a tendency for the proportion of food H selected to decline as the growth period progressed, indicated that newly weaned piglets are capable of regulating their protein intake when offered a free choice of two foods differing in their CP concentration, without a necessity for an initial training period.

We study a model system with nematic and magnetic orders, within a channel geometry modelled by an interval, [−D, D]. The system is characterised by a tensor-valued nematic order parameter Q and a vector-valued magnetisation M, and the observable states are modelled as stable critical points of an appropriately defined free energy. In particular, the full energy includes a nemato-magnetic coupling term characterised by a parameter c. We (i) derive L ∞ bounds for Q and M; (ii) prove a uniqueness result in parameter regimes defined by c, D and material-and temperature-dependent correlation lengths; (iii) analyse order reconstruction solutions, possessing domain walls, and their stabilities as a function of D and c and (iv) perform numerical studies that elucidate the interplay of c and D for multistability.

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