Thermodynamic Assessment of the PO-NaO and PO-MgO Systems.

Knowledge about the thermodynamic equilibria of the PO-NaO and PO-MgO systems is very important for controlling the phosphorus content of steel materials in the process of steelmaking dephosphorization. The phase equilibrium and thermodynamic data of the PO-NaO and PO-MgO systems were critically evaluated and re-assessed by the CALPHAD (CAlculation of PHAse Diagram) approach. The liquid phase was described by the ionic two-sublattice model for the first time with the formulas (Na)(O, PO, PO, PO) and (Mg)(O, PO, PO, PO), respectively, and the selection of the species constituting the liquid phase was based on the structure of the phosphate melts.

Phase Equilibria of the Fe-Cr-Er Ternary System in the Range 973-1273 K.

Phase relations of the Fe-Cr-Er system in the temperature range 973-1273 K were experimentally investigated using equilibrated alloys. The isothermal sections consisted of 9 single-phase regions, 16 two-phase regions, and 8 three-phase regions at 973 K and 1073 K. At 1273 K, the σ phase disappeared, and liquid appeared.

Experimental Investigation of the Phase Relations in the Fe-Zr-Y Ternary System.

The phase relations of the Fe-Zr-Y system at 973 K and 1073 K were experimentally investigated by using the equilibrated alloys. New ternary compounds τ3-FeZrY and τ4-FeZrY were found in this ternary system. The solubility of Y in FeZr was measured to be 3.

[Feeding Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei increased microbial diversity and short chain fatty acids production in the gut-intestinal tract of weaning piglets].

Objective: The objective of the study was to study the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei on the changes in composition and quantity of microbial populations and the concentrations of short chain fatty acids in the gut digesta of piglets before and after weaning, to explore the mechanisms of the tested two strains to relieve weaning stress.

Methods: Fifteen litters of piglets (Duroc×Yorkshire×Landrace) at the age of 7 days were randomly allocated to 3 groups (5 each), including the control group with an oral administration of saline, LP group with L. plantarum and and LC group, with L.

Effects of low dietary protein on the metabolites and microbial communities in the caecal digesta of piglets.

Thirty-six healthy piglets (weighing 10 ± 1 kg; three animals per pen) were randomly allocated to two treatments: (i) a low protein diet (14% crude protein [CP]) supplemented with lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan (Group LP) and (ii) a normal protein diet (20% CP, Group NP), resulting in six replicate pens per treatment. One piglet from each pen was slaughtered at days 10, 25 and 45 of the experiment. For the whole experimental period of 45 d, Group LP had lower feed intake and daily gain and a higher feed-to-gain ratio compared with Group NP.