Structure and Magnetic Properties of Cr₂O₃/CrO₂ Nanoparticles Prepared by Reactive Laser Ablation and Oxidation under High Pressure of Oxygen

P. Z. Si,X. L. Wang,X. F. Xiao,H. J. Chen,X. Y. Liu,L. Jiang,J. J. Liu,Z. W. Jiao,H. L. Ge 한국자기학회 2015 Journal of Magnetics Vol.20 No.3

Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles were prepared via one-step reactive laser ablation of Cr in oxygen. The metastable CrO₂ phase was obtained through the subsequent oxidation of Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles under O₂ with gas pressures of up to 40 MPa. The as-prepared Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles are spherical or rectangular in shape with sizes ranging from 20 nm to 50 nm. High oxygen pressure annealing is effective in producing meta-stable CrO₂ from as-dried Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles, and the Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibit a weak ferromagnetic behavior with an exchange bias of up to 11 mT that can be ascribed to the interfacial exchange coupling between uncompensated surface spins and the antiferromagnetic core. The Cr₂O₃/CrO₂ nanoparticles exhibit an enhanced saturation magnetization and a reduced exchange bias with an increasing faction of CrO₂ due to the elimination of uncompensated surface spins over the Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles when exposed to a high pressure of O₂ and/or possible phase segregation that results in a smaller grain size for both Cr₂O₃ and CrO₂.

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Porcine Backfat Thickness

Wu, X.L.,Lee, C.,Jiang, J.,Peng, Y.L.,Yan, H.F.,Yang, S.L.,Xiao, B.N.,Liu, X.C.,Shi, Q.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.7

A partial genome scan using porcine microsatellites was carried out to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for backfat thickness (BFT) in a pig reference population. This population carried QTL on chromosomes 1, 13 and 18. The QTL on chromosome 1 was located between marker loci S0113 and SW1301. The QTL corresponded to very low density lipoprotein receptor gene (VLDLR) in location and in biological effects, suggesting that VLDLR might be a candidate gene. The QTL found on chromosome 13 was found between marker loci SWR1941 and SW864, but significance for the marker-trait association was inconsistent by using data with different generations. The QTL on chromosome 18 was discovered between markers S0062 and S0117, and it was in proximity of the regions where IGFBP3 and GHRHR were located. The porcine obese gene might be also a candidate gene for the QTL on chromosome 18. In order to understand genetic architecture of BFT better, fine mapping and positional comparative candidate gene analyses are necessary.

Variation and Correlation of Shearing Force with Feed Nutritional Characteristics of Wheat Straw

Cui, X.M.,Yang, Z.B.,Yang, W.R.,Jiang, S.Z.,Zhang, G.G.,Liu, L.,Wu, B.R.,Wang, Z.F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.10

This experiment was conducted to study the variation laws and correlations of shearing force and feed characteristics including morphological characteristic, chemical composition and in situ degradability of wheat straw. Feasibility of evaluating the nutritional value of wheat straws with shearing force values was analyzed in this study. Six hundred wheat straw plants (Jimai 22) were randomly selected and placed in a cool and ventilated place. Samples were collected in the 1st, 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th d after harvest to measure shearing force, morphological characteristic, nutritional composition. Rumen degradation of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of wheat straws were determined by the nylon bags method. The results demonstrated that linear and quadratic effects of storage time on all the tested morphological characteristics were significantly correlative (p<0.01). As storage time goes on, all the tested nutrients and their rumen degradations of wheat straw was linearly (p<0.01) and quadratic (p<0.01) correlative except ADF content and rumen degradation of ADF. Significant correlations were determined in linear effect of shearing force on morphological characteristics (p<0.01), and linear density and diameter were a more sensitive predictor than stem thickness for shearing force. There were strong correlations between storage time and all the measured physical characteristics (shearing force, morphological characteristics and shearing force standardized by morphological characteristics) (p<0.01). Nutrition compositions were linearly correlative with shearing force and standardized shearing force (p<0.01). The linear correlation between rumen degradation of DM and NDF and shearing force and standardized shearing force were evident (p<0.01). In conclusion, shearing force, nutrition compositions and their rumen degradation of wheat straw were still dynamic with storage time after harvest. Correlation could be found between shearing force and nutritional characteristics of wheat straw. Nutrient content, morphological index and rumen degradation of DM and NDF could be predicted by changes in shearing force. Shearing force should be applied according to a standardized storage time when it is used to forecast the feed value of wheat straws.

Zearalenone Altered the Serum Hormones, Morphologic and Apoptotic Measurements of Genital Organs in Post-weaning Gilts

Chen, X.X.,Yang, C.W.,Huang, L.B.,Niu, Q.S.,Jiang, Shuzhen,Chi, F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.2

The present study was aimed at investigating the adverse effects of dietary zearalenone (ZEA) (1.1 to 3.2 mg/kg diet) on serum hormones, morphologic and apoptotic measurements of genital organs in post-weaning gilts. A total of twenty gilts ($Landrace{\times}Yorkshire{\times}Duroc$) weaned at 21 d with an average body weight of $10.36{\pm}1.21kg$ were used in the study. Gilts were fed a basal diet with an addition of 0, 1.1, 2.0, or 3.2 mg/kg purified ZEA for 18 d ad libitum. Results showed that 3.2 mg/kg ZEA challenged gilts decreased (p<0.05) the serum levels of luteinizing hormone, however, serum levels of prolactin in gilts fed the diet containing 2.0 mg/kg ZEA or more were increased (p<0.05) compared to those in the control. Linear effects on all tested serum hormones except progesterone were observed as dietary ZEA levels increased (p<0.05). Gilts fed ZEA-contaminated diet showed increase (p<0.05) in genital organs size, hyperplasia of submucosal smooth muscles in the corpus uteri in a dose-dependent manner. However, the decreased numbers of follicles in the cortex and apoptotic cells in the ovarian were observed in gilts treated with ZEA in a dose-dependent manner. Degeneration and structural abnormalities of genital organs tissues were also observed in the gilts fed diet containing 1.1 mg/kg ZEA or more. Results suggested that dietary ZEA at 1.1 to 3.2 mg/kg can induce endocrine disturbance and damage genital organs in post-weaning gilts.

THE Z-PHASE IN 9Cr FERRITIC/MARTENSITIC HEAT RESISTANT STEEL

Yin, F.S.,Chen, F.X.,Jiang, X.B.,Xue, B.,Zhou, L.,Jung, W.S. World Scientific Publishing 2009 International Journal of Modern Physics B Vol.23 No.6

Effects of Feeding Purified Zearalenone Contaminated Diets with or without Clay Enterosorbent on Growth, Nutrient Availability, and Genital Organs in Post-weaning Female Pigs

Jiang, S.Z.,Yang, Z.B.,Yang, W.R.,Yao, B.Q.,Zhao, H.,Liu, F.X.,Chen, C.C.,Chi, F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.1

The effects of different levels of natural clay enterosorbent on the growth, nutrient availability, and genital organs of post-weaning female pigs fed with an addition of zearalenone (ZEA) were investigated in the study. A total of thirty-five post-weaning gilts ($L{\times}Y{\times}D$) with an average body weight of 12.36${\pm}$1.46 kg were used in the test. The gilts were raised individually in metabolism cages and fed a corn-soybean meal-whey basal diet with an addition of 0 or 1 mg/kg of ZEA for 24 d with four levels of natural clay enterosorbent added in the feed. The treatments were: i) control; ii) control+2.5 g/kg clay; iii) control+1 mg/kg ZEA; iv) control+1 mg/kg ZEA+1.25 g/kg clay; v) control+1 mg/kg ZEA+2.5 g/kg clay; vi) control+1 mg/kg ZEA+5.0 g/kg clay; vii) control+1 mg/kg ZEA +10 g/kg clay. Pigs fed diets contaminated with additional purified ZEA had significantly reduced apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP), gross energy (GE) and apparent metabolic rate of GE (ME/GE, p<0.05) without changes of net protein utilization (NPU, p>0.05). Final body weight, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), vulva length, vulva width, vulva area, relative weights of genital organ and proliferative changes of the ovary tissues in gilts fed ZEA-contaminated diet were increased (p<0.05) compared to the gilts fed the control diet. Addition of natural clay enterosorbent in the ZEA-contaminated diet showed a positive protection effect on ZEA feeding, and the protection was increased linearly or quadratically as clay content increased. However, in pigs fed a diet with clay alone at 2.5 g/kg level there was no significant impact (p>0.05) on all the parameters as compared to the control. It is suggested that feeding ZEA at about 1.0 mg/kg for 24 days might result in a deleterious effect in pigs, and addition of 5 or 10 g clay enterosorbent per kg diet can effectively neutralize the detrimental effects of the ZEA feeding.

Nutritional Evaluation of Chinese Nonconventional Protein Feedstuffs for Growing-Finishing Pigs - 2. Rapeseed Meal

Li, Defa,Qiao, S.Y.,Yi, G.F.,Jiang, J.Y.,Xu, X.X.,Thacker, P.,Piao, X.S.,Han, In K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.1

Two experiments were conducted to determine ileal digestibilities for the amino acids contained in rapeseed meal using the regression technique and then applying the values obtained, in a growth trial, using growing-finishing pigs. For the digestibility trial, four 20 kg crossbred $(Yorkshire{\times}Landrace{\times}Beijing\;Black)$ barrows were fitted with simple T-cannula in the terminal ileum. After recovery, the barrows were fed one of four experimental diets according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square design. The pigs were fed corn-soybean meal based diets supplemented with 0, 25, 50 or 75% rapeseed meal. For the growth trial, 80 crossbred $(Yorkshire{\times}Landrace{\times}Beijing\;Black)$ growing pigs $(20{\pm}2.4kg)$ were fed corn-soybean meal diets supplemented with 0, 3, 6, 9 or 12% rapeseed meal. Four pens (2 gilts and 2 castrates) were assigned to each treatment. With the exception of isoleucine and methionine, the digestibility coefficients for the indispensible amino acids declined as the level of rapeseed meal in the diet increased. There was little agreement between the amino acid digestibilities determined with the regression technique and values previously published for rapeseed meal. During the growing (22-42 kg) period, the addition of rapeseed meal had no significant effects on gain, feed intake or feed conversion. During the finishing period (58-91 kg), daily gain was not affected by rapeseed meal inclusion but feed conversion declined (p<0.04) as the level of rapeseed meal in the diet increased.

Effects of Arsenic (As^III) on Lipid Peroxidation, Glutathione Content and Antioxidant Enzymes in Growing Pigs

Wang, L.,Xu, Z.R.,Jia, X.Y.,Jiang, J.F.,Han, X.Y. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.5

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of arsenic ($As^{III}$) on lipid peroxidation, glutathione content and antioxidant enzymes in growing pigs. Ninety-six Duroc-Landrace-Yorkshire crossbred growing pigs (48 barrows and 48 gilts, respectively) were randomly assigned to four groups and each group was randomly assigned to three pens (four barrows and four gilts). The four groups received the same corn-soybean basal diet which was supplemented with 0, 10, 20, 30 mg/kg As respectively. Arsenic was added to the diet in the form of $As_2O_3$. The experiment lasted for seventy-eight days after a seven-day adaptation period. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione (GSH) contents and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were analyzed in serum, livers and kidneys of pigs. The results showed that pigs treated with 30 mg As/kg diet had a decreased average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and an increased feed/gain ratio (F/G) (p<0.05) compared to the controls. The levels of MDA significantly increased (p<0.05), and the contents of GSH and the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GST significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the pigs fed 30 mg As/kg diet. The results indicated that the mechanism of arsenic-induced oxidative stress in growing pigs involved lipid peroxidation, depletion of glutathione and decreased activities of some enzymes, such as SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GST, which are associated with free radical metabolism.

Chicken Breeding with Local Breeds in China - A Review

Jiang, X.,Groen, A.F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.10

This paper reviews the meat-type chicken breeding with local breeds in China. The quality chickens are defined as purebred final products of local breeds, and semi-quality chickens as crossbreds of local breeds with specialized broiler (sire or dam) lines from western breeding organizations. The present status of the chicken production and the market in China, in comparison with the western countries, is reviewed, indicating that there is large market demand for (semi-) quality chickens in the present and future China. Breeding for (semi-) quality chickens emphasizes the sensory quality of chicken meat. The present status of breeding for (semi-) quality chickens with the local breeds is illustrated, including breeding goals and the existing breeding programs. The potential role of local breeds in breeding programs in China is discussed in relation to both providing higher quality (than commercial hybrid broilers) of chicken meat for the local market and meeting the objectives of genetic resource conservation. Besides, further research topics on breeding for (semi-) quality chickens are suggested.

Effects of Alfalfa Meal on Growth Performance and Gastrointestinal Tract Development of Growing Ducks

Jiang, J.F.,Song, X.M.,Huang, X.,Zhou, W.D.,Wu, J.L.,Zhu, Z.G.,Zheng, H.C.,Jiang, Y.Q. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2012 Animal Bioscience Vol.25 No.10

A study was conducted to evaluate effects of alfalfa meal on growth performance and gastrointestinal tract development of growing layer ducks to provide evidence for application of alfalfa meal in the duck industry. Two hundred and fifty-six healthy Shaoxing 7-wk old growing layer ducks were selected and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments based on corn and soybean meal and containing 0, 3, 6, and 9% of alfalfa meal for 8 wks. Each treatment consisted of 4 replicates of 16 ducks each. Briefly, birds were raised in separate compartments, and each compartment consisted of three parts: indoor floor house, adjacent open area and a connecting water area. The results showed: i) Growing ducks fed alfalfa meal diet were not significantly different in average daily gain, feed intake and gain-to-feed ratio from those fed no alfalfa diet (p>0.05). ii) Alfalfa meal increased the ratio crop, gizzard to live weight, caecum to live weight, the caecum index of growing ducks (p<0.05). iii) Villus height in duodenum and jejunum of growing ducks increased significantly with the increase of alfalfa meal levels (p<0.05). Crypt depth in duodenum and jejunum of growing ducks decreased significantly with the increase of alfalfa meal levels (p<0.05). This experiment showed that feeding of alfalfa meal to growing layer ducks could improve gastrointestinal tract growth and small intestinal morphology without effect on performance. This experiment provides evidence that alfalfa meal is a very valuable feedstuff for growing layer ducks.