Search

Although Ti2AX has excellent mechanical properties of both metals and ceramics, there are few papers exploring the correlation between mechanics and thermodynamics simultaneously. In this paper, the structure properties, elastic anisotropies, thermodynamic and tensile properties of Ti2AX (A = Al and Ga, X = C and N) MAX phases are studied by first-principles calculations. The results show that these MAX phases have thermodynamical, dynamical, and mechanical stabilities. The calculated anisotropy indexes indicate that the MAX phases are anisotropic in elastic modulus. Ti-X chemical bonds possess covalent-ionic mixed nature. Moreover, the sound velocities and thermal conductivities of these Ti2AX MAX phases are also anisotropic. According to the tensile calculation, the tensile strength along the [110] direction is greater than that along the [001] direction, and fracture failure will occur in the [110] direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. An experiment feeding three concentrations of betaine was conducted using breeding geese to analyse the reproductive performance, serum biochemical indexes, egg quality and intestinal immunity. 2. A total of 450 female and 90 male Jiangnan White breeding geese were divided into three treatments, with five pen replicates each containing 30 female geese and 6 male geese. 3. The results showed that there was no significant effect on the reproductive performance, serum biochemical indexes or jejunal villi goblet cells of geese with different levels of betaine in the diet (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the addition of 2.5 g/kg betaine to the diet showed a tendency to increase egg mass (P > 0.05) the betaine content in the yolk (P < 0.05). Feeding betaine significantly increased the height of jejunal villi and egg yolk total cholesterol content in female geese (P < 0.05). 4. In conclusion, adding betaine to the goose diet was effective in its ability to improve intestinal structures. Adding 2.5 g/kg betaine to feed significantly increased the content of TCHOL and betaine in goose eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 28-day experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin A (VA) levels on intestinal morphology and immune performance of goslings. Healthy, one-day-old goslings (360) of similar body weight were randomly divided into six groups fed diets supplemented with 0 (A), 3 000 (B), 6 000 (C), 9 000 (D), 12 000 (E), and 15 000 (F) IU/kg VA. Compared to group A, villus height in group D, as well as villus width and crypt depth in groups C and D were increased in the duodenum (quadratic effect, P < 0.05); villus height and villus width in groups B, C, D and E, and crypt depth in groups C and D were increased in the jejunum (quadratic effect, P < 0.05); villus height and villus width in groups C and D, and crypt depth in groups B, C, D, E and F, as well as muscular layer thickness in group D were increased in the ileum (quadratic effect, P < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulin A in groups B, C, D and E, and serum immunoglobulin G levels in groups D and E were higher than in group A (quadratic effect, P < 0.05). Serum interleukin-1 (quadratic effect, P < 0.05) and interleukin-6 (linear and quadratic effect, P < 0.05) levels in groups D and E, and serum interleukin-2 level (quadratic effect, P < 0.05) in group C were higher compared to group A. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 6 000-9 000 IU/kg VA improved intestinal morphology and immune performance of goslings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, polycrystalline Ni45Co5-xPdxMn37In13 (x = 0, 0.5, 1, and 3) Heusler alloys were prepared. The influences of Pd substitution for Co on crystal structure, martensitic transformation (MT), and magnetic properties have been carefully investigated for these quinary alloys. The structure measurement indicates that every sample possesses L10 martensitic structure at room temperature. With increasing of Pd content, it is found that the MT region shifts towards higher temperature, but the Curie transition region of austenitic state moves to lower temperature. Owing to the fact that the MT gradually approaches Curie point, the magnetization of austenitic phase is significantly decreased, while the one of martensitic phase almost remains unchanged. In addition, the functional properties associated with the field-induced reverse MT have been also studied in Ni45Co5-xPdxMn37In13 (x = 0, 0.5, and 1) alloys. In comparison to quaternary parent alloy, both of enhanced magnetostrain (0.3%) and isothermal entropy change (25 J/kg K) are observed in quinary Ni45Co4.5Pd0.5Mn37In13 alloy under an applied magnetic field up to 3 T. The implication of such results has been discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]