in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).To evaluate molecular recognition function of -cyclodextrin to xylene isomers, -CD polymer of branching chain extension (-CD-EGDE) was synthesized by crosslinking -CD with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE). The pervaporation blend membranes of -CD-EGDE/PVA were prepared by casting an aqueous solution of PVA and -CD polymer mixture, and the membranes were used for separation of p-/m-and p-/o-xylene mixtures. It was observed that the pristine PVA membrane almost had no selectivity for xylene isomer mixtures. The PVA membrane incorporating -CD polymer had molecular recognition function, which selectively facilitated the transport of the xylene isomers. To ascertain pervaporation behavior, the sorption and desorption processes of the membrane in xylenes were investigated. The sorption result showed that the complex formation constant between -CDs and xylenes played a key role in swelling behavior. There was a significant difference between diffusion coefficients D and D 0 , calculated from the sorption and desorption measurements, respectively, indicating that the diffusivity selectivity in desorption stage may have remarkable effect on the total selectivity during pervaporation process.

This study was conducted to evaluate gene expression of the amino acid transporter in post-hatch pigeon small intestine and the association of pigeon milk amino acid with the above transporter's gene expression. A total of 48 pigeon breeding families were randomly allocated to 8 groups of 6 replicates of one parental pigeon pair and 2 squabs. Samples of pigeon milk and duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were collected on d 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 14 post hatch. The results showed that levels of crude protein (8.93 to 15.56%) were highest in pigeon milk on an air-dry basis. Amino acid content in pigeon milk remained constant in the first 4 d, declined abruptly at d 6, then increased dramatically from d 8 to 14. There was a significant effect of interaction between age and intestinal segments on those amino acid transporters gene expression. mRNA abundance of ATB0'+, SNAT-2, LAT-4, rBAT, b0'+AT, EAAT-3 and PAT-1 was highest in the ileum; B0AT1, asc-1, and IMINO were predominate in the jejunum; and CAT-1 and y+LAT2 were greatest in the duodenum. Age-related changes of amino acid transporter mRNA was inconsistent. mRNA levels of SNAT-2, rBAT, y+LAT2, b0'+AT, and EAAT-3 ascended with age, whereas that of asc-1, CAT-1, and IMINO diminished significantly. Levels of B0AT1 and PAT-1 mRNA abundance were minimized at d 6. However, few correlations were found between pigeon milk amino acid and the amino acid transporter gene expressions in squab small intestine. Our findings provide a comprehensive elaboration on ontogeny of the amino acid transporter in post-hatch pigeon intestine.