Enhanced high temperature ferromagnetism in Bi1-x R x FeO3 (R = Dy, Y) compounds.

In this work we report experimental evidence for the weak high-temperature ferromagnetism in Bi1-x R x FeO3 (R = Dy, Y) compounds by systematic characterizations, excluding the possible side-effects from other iron-based impurities. Remarkable saturated magnetic moment was observed in the Y-substituted samples, Bi1-x Y x FeO3, which is larger than the moment obtained in Bi1-x Dy x FeO3, the Dy-substituted samples with antiferromagnetic background. The physical origin of the weak ferromagnetic transition is discussed and serious lattice distortions have been identified based on the x-ray diffraction and Raman scattering data, although the rhombohedral structure symmetry remains unchanged upon the substitutions. It is believed that the structural distortion suppressed cycloid spin structure is the main factor for the enhanced magnetization in Bi1-x R x FeO3 compounds. Additionally, the Dy3+-Fe3+ antiferromagnetic coupling, which strengthens the antiferromagnetic interaction in Bi1-x Dy x FeO3 compounds, acts as the driving force for the magnetic discrepancy between Bi1-x Y x FeO3 and Bi1-x Dy x FeO3 samples.

True amino acid availability in chinese high-oil corn varieties determined in two types of chickens.

True amino acid availability (TAAA) was determined in conventional corn (CC) and in 2 Chinese high-oil corn varieties (CHOC1; CHOC2). The CC, CHOC1, and CHOC2 contained 3.7, 6.6, and 7.5% oil (ether extract) on a dry matter basis, respectively. The CP content (% dry matter) of the corn increased from 8.6 to 12.2% as oil increased from 3.7 to 7.5%. Birds (Hy-Line roosters or Arbor Acres broilers) were given 1 of the 3 corn varieties as the sole dietary ingredient in a conventional (intubation method) TAAA assay. There was a significant (P < 0.05) effect of bird type on gut metabolic (endogenous) amino acid excretion values with the broilers having higher excretions. For all amino acids, there was also a significant (P < 0.05) effect of bird type on TAAA with the Hy-Line roosters having higher TAAA values. The mean value for TAAA calculated over all of the amino acids showed a 9.8% unit higher digestibility for roosters compared with the broilers. Differences in TAAA between the corn varieties were statistically significant for alanine and valine only. Overall, the present results indicate that TAAA is equal to or superior to that in CC and that the TAAA content is higher in CHOC compared with CC. Bird type has an important effect on TAAA results and should be considered when developing TAAA assays and interpreting TAAA values.

Comparisons of amino acid availability by different methods and metabolizable energy determination of a Chinese variety of high oil corn.

TME, true amino acid availability (TAAA), AME, and apparent amino acid availability (AAAA) were determined in Chinese high oil corn (CHOC) and conventional corn (CC). The CC and CHOC contained 4.58 and 8.44% ether extract (DM basis), respectively. A precision-fed rooster assay was used in which each corn sample was tube-fed (50 g) to 16 roosters and excreta were collected for 48 h. A N-free diet and fasting methods were used to evaluate endogenous amino acid (AA) losses. Endogenous losses of 10 AA were different (P < 0.05) with the N-free and fasting methods; in most cases the mean value for the N-free treatment was greater (P < 0.05) than for the fasting treatment. The TME value for CHOC was greater than for CC (4,193 vs. 3,961 cal/g DM; P < 0.05). The true availability of aspartic acid, threonine, isoleucine, and leucine of CC and CHOC was higher (P < 0.05) for the N-free method than for the fasting method. When compared within the N-free or within the fasting method, the true availabilities of lysine, methionine, and proline were higher (P < 0.05) in CHOC than in CC, but the true availability of phenylalanine was lower (P < 0.05) in CHOC than in CC. The AAAA values, although lower, followed similar patterns as the TAAA values. The results of this study indicated that availability of AA in CHOC is equal or superior to that in CC and that the available energy for poultry is higher in CHOC than in CC.

[Studies of FISH and karyotype of Gossypium barbadense].

Based on the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of somatic chromosome of Gossypium barbadense with the probe of genomic DNA (gDNA) of Gossypium arboreum, two sets of chromosomes were easily distinguished by signals hybridized or not. The FISH directly proved that G. barbadense originated from two different diploid species, but was not in concordance with the former point that every chromosome of A sub-genome of tetraploid species was bigger than that of other sub-genome (D genome). The karyotype formula of G. barbadense based on its FISH was 2n = 4x = 52 = 38 m + 14sm(6sat). There were three pairs of satellite chromosomes which were all sm types. Their satellites located in short arms but originated differently from their chromosomes of sub-genome. Fragment translocations occured in the long arms of homologous chromosomes of number 5, 6 and 9 of A sub-genome. It was suggested that the translated fragments come from D sub-genome. The fragments are fairly large with the relative lengths of 19.21%, 17.69% and 12.88% of their whole chromosomes, respectively. At least five pairs of chromosomes in D sub-genome show some hybridized signals of gDNA probe of G. arboreum in their centromere regions, which indicated that there would be chromatin introgressions from A sub-genome.

Impact of feeding 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid and DL-methionine supplemented maize-soybean-rapeseed meal diets on growth performance and carcase quality of broilers.

1. This experiment was conducted to compare the effectiveness of DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (HMTBA) and DL-methionine (DLM) on growth performance and carcase quality of broilers in a 2 x 3 x 2 factorial experimental design including two methionine (Met) sources, three equimolar levels of Met supplementation and two sexes. 2. No difference was observed between the two Met sources in growth performance and muscle deposition from 10 to 49 d. With increasing Met levels, average daily gain was increased in the starter, grower and overall phases, average daily feed intake was increased in the starter phase, and feed:gain ratio was decreased in the grower and overall phases. Met supplementation increased breast muscle content and decreased abdominal fat content. Broilers given HMTBA had breast and thigh muscle coloration that was characterised as superior to those fed DLM. 3. These results indicated that Met supplementation improved growth performance and carcase quality irrespective of the Met sources. Compared to DLM, HMTBA has the same molar bioefficacy for improving the growth performance and carcase quality; however, HMTBA-fed birds had superior meat colour to DLM-fed birds.

Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and the digestible and metabolizable energy content of high-oil corn varieties and its effects on growth performance of pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to compare the nutritional value of normal and high-oil corn for pigs. The normal corn and the two varieties (high-oil corns A and B) of high-oil corn contained 4.41, 7.35 and 8.86% ether extract, on DM basis, respectively. In experiment 1, six non-littermate crossbred barrows (37.8 +/- 1.3 kg BW) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and used in a double replicated Latin Square digestion trial. Three diets were formulated containing 96.6% of one of the three varieties of corn as the only protein source. Chromic oxide (0.4%) was added as a digestibility marker. Additional vitamins and minerals were added to meet requirements. The digestible energy concentrations for normal corn and high-oil corn A and B were 16.53, 16.99 and 17.07 MJ/kg while the metabolizable energy values were 15.82, 16.32 and 16.36 MJ/kg, on DM basis, respectively. The ileal amino acid digestibility of high-oil corn was generally higher than that of normal corn with significant differences being observed for the essential amino acids isoleucine and phenylalanine. In experiment 2, 96 pigs (8.01 +/- 0.14 kg BW) were used to evaluate four diets in a 2 x 2 factorial design conducted over a 35-day period. Corn variety (high-oil vs. normal corn) and nutrient density (high content of protein and ME vs. low content of protein and ME) were set as the two main effects. During the first 14 days, pigs fed high-oil corn diets consumed more feed and tended to get higher daily gain than pigs fed normal corn. Over the entire 35-day experiment, increasing dietary nutrient density increased daily gain and tended to increase feed conversion, while variety of corn had no significant effects on performance. Overall, the present results indicate that the energy concentration and ileal amino acid digestibility of high-oil corn varieties were equal or superior to those in normal corn and therefore they should be able to be effectively utilized in diets fed to swine.