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BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary novel alkaline protease from Bacillus licheniformis on the growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant status and intestinal morphology of broilers. In total, 4000 broilers were randomly assigned into five groups and treated with normal control, normal control + 100 mg kg−1 protease, normal control + 200 mg kg−1 protease, normal control + 300 mg kg−1 protease and normal control + 400 mg kg−1 protease. RESULTS: Supplementing protease impacted final body weight (linear, P = 0.003; quadratic, P = 0.006) and decreased feed conversion rate (linear, P = 0.036) in broilers. Moreover, dietary protease significantly increased breast muscle rate (linear, P = 0.005; quadratic, P = 0.021) and decreased drip loss (linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.001). In addition, dietary protease notably increased protein digestibility (linear, P = 0.001; quadratic, P = 0.006) and trypsin activity (linear, P = 0.002; quadratic, P = 0.009) in jejunum. Light microscopy revealed that the jejunum villi in the 300 mg kg−1 and 400 mg kg−1 groups exhibited greater height and a denser arrangement compared to those in the control group. The addition of protease decreased malondialdehyde content (linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.001) and increased total antioxidant capacity (linear, P = 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.001) in pectoral muscles. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that dietary novel alkaline protease from B. licheniformis improved growth performance by affecting trypsin activity, protein digestibility, antioxidant capacity and intestinal health. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Objective) Improving utilization efficacy of irrigation water ((IWEUC)) is part of sustainable agriculture development. Understanding its determinations and variation is essential to achieving this goal and improving water resources management. In this paper, we analyze the annual variation in IWEUC in Jiangsu province as well as its determinants.(Method) The analysis considers natural factors, planting structure, management level, and water-saving engineering projects. The factors that impact IWEUC most are investigated using partial correlation analysis and principal component analysis.(Result) 1 IWEUC in Jiangsu province is higher than the rest of the country and does not show insignificant increase from 2014 to 2021. IWEUC and its change is negatively correlated to the size of irrigation districts. 2 In terms of irrigation water sources, the IWEUC in gravity-driven irrigation districts has increased more than in other irrigation districts. 3 The areas of water-saving engineering projects in an irrigation district impacts IWEUC significantly (P<0.01). The contribution of water-saving engineering projects and natural factors is more than that from others. (Conclusion) Establishing and improving water conservation system and management and reforming water pricing plays an essential role in optimizing management of irrigation districts, strengthening construction of water-saving engineering projects, and improving IWEUC in Jiangsu province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, suitable compositions have been investigated to make new phosphors because they are key materials for use in solid-state lighting and security applications. Aliovalent cations have different radii, electronegativity and valence states, and can thus be used to remarkably modify crystal structures. Here, we report a new Sr33Lu6(PO4)28 phase produced from Sr3(PO4)2via the method of aliovalent cation substitution. Density functional theory calculations were used to predict the possibility of the formation of a new phase when substituting three Sr2+ for two Lu3+ ions in the material. The new phase, Sr33Lu6(PO4)28, was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Different from the purple phosphor Sr3(PO4)2:Eu2+, Sr33Lu6(PO4)28:Eu2+ exhibits broad green emission under near-UV excitation due to the multi-site occupancy of Eu2+. Combining near-UV chip, blue, red and Sr33Lu6(PO4)28:Eu2+ green phosphors, a white light-emitting diode with a high colour rendering index (∼92) was made, with potential lighting applications. Additionally, a transparent security ink fabricated using the Sr33Lu6(PO4)28:Eu2+ phosphor shows high concealment and recognition. This work is not confined to the report of a new Sr33Lu6(PO4)28:Eu2+ phosphor and its corresponding applications; it is expected that aliovalent cation substitution will be useful as a general method for the discovery of new materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction process of flavonoid from hawthorn was optimized with hawthorn fruit, extraction time, ethanol concentration and the material liquid ratio as the main influence factors, flavonoid of hawthorn extraction as an index for research. On the basis of single factor experiment, optimized by response surface analysis, the best extraction conditions for extraction were: liquid ratio was 1 : 6, ethanol concentration was 60%, thermal extraction time was 80 min. Under the condition the flavonoid extraction rate reached 98. 12 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical constituents in essential oil of wild Atractylodes lancea (Thumb.) DC. from Dabie Mountains were studied. The essential oil was extracted by simultaneous distillation and extraction equipment and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. 49 compounds were identified and they represent 92.49% of the total peak aeras. The extraction method and solvent selection of the essential oil were studied. The oil yields and major constituents from Atractylodes lancea (Thumb.) DC. from Dabie Mountains were contrasted to that had been reported. The results showed that Atractylodes lancea (Thumb.) DC. from Dabie Mountains had more essential oil (10.14%) and there were more constituents in it. The main constituents in the essential oil were hinesol, beta-eudesmol, 1H-cyclopropa (a) naphthalene, 1a,2,3,5,6,7,7a,7b-octaphdro-1,1,7,7a-tetramethyl-, [1aR-(1a. alpha, 7. alpha, 7a. alpha,7b. alpha-)] -and gamma-eudesmol. Both the major constituents and contents were different from that had been reported.