Fecal microbiota in pouchitis and ulcerative colitis

AIM To investigate the changes in microbiota in feces of patients with ulcerative colitis(UC) and pouchitis using genomic technology.METHODS Fecal samples were obtained from UC patients with or without an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis(IPAA) procedure, as well as healthy controls. The touchdown polymerase chain reaction technique was used to amplify the whole V3 region of the 16 S r RNA gene, which was transcribed from DNA extracted from fecal samples. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was used to separate the amplicons. The band profiles and similarity indices were analyzed digitally. The predominant microbiota in different groups was confirmed by sequencing the 16 S rR NA gene. RESULTS Microbial biodiversity in the healthy controls was significantly higher compared with the UC groups(P < 0.001) and IPAA groups(P < 0.001). Compared with healthy controls, the UC patients in remission and those in the mildly active stage, the predominant species in patients with moderately and severely active UC changed obviously. In addition, the proportion of the dominant microbiota, which was negatively correlated with the disease activity of UC(r =-6.591, P < 0.01),was decreased in pouchitis patients. The numbers of two types of bacteria, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Eubacterium rectale, were reduced in UC. Patients with pouchitis had an altered microbiota composition compared with UC patients. The microbiota from pouchitis patients was less diverse than that from severely active UC patients. Sequencing results showed that similar microbiota, such as Clostridium perfringens, were shared in both UC and pouchitis.CONCLUSION Less diverse fecal microbiota was present in patients with UC and pouchitis. Increased C. perfringens in feces suggest its role in the exacerbation of UC and pouchitis.

Growth of TlBa_2Ca_2Cu_3O_9 Epitaxial Thin Films by Two-Step Method in Argon

TlBa_2 Ca_2 Cu_3 O_9(Tl-1223) films have promising applications due to their high critical temperature and strong magnetic flux pinning. Nevertheless, the preparation of pure phase Tl-1223 film is still a challenge. We successfully fabricate Tl-1223 thin films on LaAlO_3(001) substrates using dc magnetic sputtering and a post annealing two-step method in argon atmosphere. The crystallization temperature of Tl-1223 films in argon is reduced by 100℃ compared to that in oxygen. This greatly reduces the volatilization of Tl and improves the surface morphology of films. The lower annealing temperature can effectively improve the repeatability of the Tl-1223 film preparation. In addition, pure Tl-1223 phase can be obtained in a broad temperature zone,from 790℃ to 830℃. In our study, the films show homogenous and dense surface morphology using the presented method. The best critical temperature of Tl-1223 films is characterized to be 110 K, and the critical current J_c(77 K, 0 T) is up to 2.13 × 106 A/cm^2.

Simulation and measurement of millimeter-wave radiation from Josephson junction array

We report the circuit simulations and experiments of millimeter-wave radiation from a high temperature superconducting(HTS) bicrystal Josephson junction(BJJ) array. To study the effects of junction characteristic parameters on radiation properties, new radiation circuit models are proposed in this paper. The series resistively and capacitively shunted junction(RCSJ) models are packaged into a Josephson junction array(JJA) model in the simulation. The current-voltage characteristics(IVCs) curve and radiation peaks are simulated and analyzed by circuit models, which are also observed from the experiment at liquid nitrogen temperature. The experimental radiation linewidth and power are in good agreement with simulated results. The presented circuit models clearly demonstrate that the inconsistency of the JJA will cause a broad linewidth and a low detected power. The junction radiation properties are also investigated at the optimal situation by circuit simulation. The results further confirm that the consistent JJA characteristic parameters can successfully narrow the radiation linewidth and increase the power of junction radiation.

Erratum to“Fabrication of Tl_(2)Ba_(2)CaCu_(2)O_(8) superconducting films without thallium pellets

The rocking curve of Tl-2212 thin films in Fig.2 of our original paper[1]should be replaced with the following new one.Accordingly,in the fifth paragraph of Section 3 of the original paper,the statement“The full width at half maximum(FWHM)of the(0012)peak of the Tl-2212 phase is about 0.24°”should be“The full width at half maximum(FWHM)of the(0012)peak of the Tl-2212 phase is about 0.42°”.

Erratum:Growth of TlBa2Ca2Cu3O9 Epitaxial Thin Films by Two-Step Method in Argon[Chin.Phys.Lett.36(2019)057401]

In Fig.2 of the article,[1]the figure caption should be“Rocking curve of the(006)peak of the Tl-1223 thin film”instead of“Rocking curve of the(003)peak of the Tl-1223 thin film”.The corresponding description of this figure should be“As shown in Fig.2,the full width at half maximum(FWHM)of the Tl-1223(006)reflection peak is only 0.58∘,which shows that the film possesses a good crystalline structure”,instead of“As shown in Fig.2,the FWHM of the Tl-1223(003)reflection peak is only 0.58∘,which shows that the film possesses a good crystalline structure”.

Microstructure and hardness of Cu-12% Fe composite at different drawing strains

研究目的:阐明铜铁合金在拉拔变形过程中,微观组织和硬度的变化规律。创新要点:1.考察铜铁合金变形过程中,铜基体和铁枝晶组织的变化特点;2.研究铁纤维的尺寸及Cu/Fe相界面密度与合金变形量的关系;3.探讨了铁纤维与硬度关系符合Hall-Petch关系的匹配程度。研究方法:1.通过固溶时效处理使得铁枝晶均匀地分布在铜基体中;2.通过冷拉拔手段使得铜合金从棒状逐步变形成线材;3.使用扫描电镜观察微观组织,并使用维氏硬度仪测试样品硬度。重要结论:1.铁枝晶在合金变形过程中逐渐变成铁纤维。随着冷变形进行,线材纵截面的铜纤维形成(110)择优取向,铁纤维形成(100)择优取向;在横截面上的铜纤维形成(111)择优取向,铁纤维形成(110)择优取向;2.铁纤维的厚度、宽度和间距随变形量的增加呈指数降低,Cu/Fe相界面密度随铁纤维宽厚比的增加而呈指数增加。在变形量小于6.0时,铁相的应变随变形量线性增加,当变形量大于6.0时,铁相的应变偏离这种关系;3.铁纤维的间距和合金硬度存在Hall-Petch关系。当变形量小于3.0时,纤维组织细化对硬度带来的影响较为明显。