The effects of di-D-fructofuranose-1,2':2,3'-dianhydride (DFA III) administration on human intestinal microbiota

Di-D-fructofuranose-1,2':2,3'-dianhydride (DFA III) was shown to enhance Ca absorption in rat and human intestine. The effects of DFA III administration (9 g per day for 4 weeks that corresponded to 3-fold the optimal dosage of DFA III) on human intestinal microbiota were studied using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The major groups of human intestinal microbiota reported previously: the Bacteroides, the Clostridium coccoides group (Clostridium cluster XIVa), the Clostridium leptum group (Clostridium cluster IV), and the Bifidobacterium group were detected. The similarity of 30 DGGE profiles based on the V3 region (before and after administration to the 15 subjects) of the 16S rDNA were calculated using Pearson's correlation based on numbers, positions and intensity of bands, and then a dendrogram of DGGE profiles was constructed by the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering method. By these analyses, no difference in DGGE profiles after DFA III administration was observed in healthy subjects, while two subjects with chronic constipation showed different profiles, namely on numbers, positions and the intensity of some bands. Their stools were softer and stool frequencies increased and they obtained relief from constipation.     

Reliability of RF MEMS switches due to charging effects and their circuital modelling

The reliability of RF MEMS switches is typically reduced by charging effects occurring in the dielectrics. The aim of this paper is to discuss these effects, and to propose analytical and equivalent circuit models which account for most of the physical contributions present in the structure.     

Convergent and divergent responses to emotional displays of ingroup and outgroup.

In the present research, we test the assumption that emotional mimicry and contagion are moderated by group membership. We report two studies using facial electromyography (EMG; Study 1), Facial Action Coding System (FACS; Study 2), and self-reported emotions (Study 2) as dependent measures. As predicted, both studies show that ingroup anger and fear displays were mimicked to a greater extent than outgroup displays of these emotions. The self-report data in Study 2 further showed specific divergent reactions to outgroup anger and fear displays. Outgroup anger evoked fear, and outgroup fear evoked aversion. Interestingly, mimicry increased liking for ingroup models but not for outgroup models. The findings are discussed in terms of the social functions of emotions in group contexts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modeling of the performance of high-power diode amplifier systemswith an optothermal microscopic spatio-temporal theory

We present a detailed theoretical analysis of the dependence of spatio-temporal carrier and light field dynamics of high-power diode amplifier systems on their geometry and facet reflectivities as well as on the spatial and spectral characteristics of the optical input beam. The basis of the numerical modeling is the Maxwell-Bloch equations for spatially inhomogeneous semiconductor lasers which are self-consistently coupled to the nonequilibrium temperature dynamics of the electron-hole plasma. They microscopically describe the interaction between the optical fields, the charge carriers, and the interband polarization. Our numerical modeling allows an identification of the influence of dynamic internal laser effects such as diffraction, self-focusing, scattering, carrier diffusion, and heating on the performance of broad-area or tapered amplifiers (e.g., far field, near field). It thus provides a means of optimizing the epitaxial structure and geometry of high-power diode amplifier systems     

Scanning the Melting Curve of Tungsten by a Submicrosecond Wire-Explosion Experiment

Measurements of temperature and density during a wire-explosion experiment at atmospheric pressure are described. The measurements encompass a parameter range from the solid to near the critical point. The influence of a polytetrafluoroethylene coating of the wire, necessary to prevent surface discharges, on the temperature and density measurements is investigated. The melting curve of tungsten up to 4000 K is detemined.     

Sequence analysis of small cryptic plasmids isolated from Selenomonas ruminantium S20

The degradation kinetics of five glutamine dipeptides in aqueous solution, i.e. glycyl-L-glutamine (Gly-Gln), L-alanyl-L-glutamine (Ala-Gln), L-valyl-L-glutamine (Val-Gln), L-leucyl-L-glutamine (Leu-Gln) and L-isoleucyl-L-glutamine (Ile-Gln), were studied. Stability tests were performed using a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay. Two different Ala-Gln degradation routes, i.e. the cleavage of a peptide bond and the deamination of an amide group, were observed. The degradation was adequately described by pseudo-first-order kinetics. The maximum stability of Ala-Gln was obtained at an approximate pH of 6.0. The pH-rate profile described by specific acid-base catalysis and hydrolysis by water molecules agreed with the experimental results. The activation energy of Ala-Gln at pH 6.0 was determined to be 27. 1kcal mol-1, and the shelf-life (90% remaining) at 25 and 40 degrees C was predicted to be 5.3 years and 7.1 months, respectively. The rate constants of the glutamine dipeptides were influenced by the N-terminal amino acid residue and decreased in the order: Gly-Gln, Ala-Gln, Leu-Gln, Val-Gln and Ile-Gln.     

Effect of local vibrations on the H and D atom densities at a Si surface

The equilibrium surface densities of passivating adatoms for a silicon crystal in equilibrium with H₂ or D₂ gas are calculated. The difference in the surface densities of H and D adatoms is determined by the difference in their local surface vibrations. The equilibrium deuterium surface densities are an order of magnitude higher than the hydrogen surface densities. Fiz. Tekh. Poluprovodn. 33, 1100–1101 (September 1999)     

Control of C.I. Basic Violet 10 aggregation in aqueous solution by the use of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)

The aggregation behavior of C.I. Basic Violet 10 in the presence of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) was modified, as a consequence of short-range interactions. In aqueous acidic media, the cationic dye forms hydrophobic ion pairs with polymeric benzene sulfonate groups which tend to aggregate in H-contacts, this tendency being readily influenced by the relative concentration of the macromolecule with respect to that of the dye. In the case of dilute aqueous dye solutions (≤10^?4 M), for which the probability of dye self-aggregation is small, C.I. Basic Violet 10 self-contacts are forced in the presence of a moderate excess of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate). At dye concentrations >10^?4 M, for which the probability of dye self-aggregation increases, dye-dye contacts are minimized in the presence of a large excess of the polymer. Hence, the luminescence of dye solutions can be tuned insorar as, that of dilute dye solutions is quenched whilst that of concentrated dye solutions can be enhanced. This behavior was not observed for other polyelectrolytes such as poly(sodium vinylsulfonate), or the more hydrophobic poly(sodium 2-(N-acrylamido)-2-methyl-propanesulfonate).     

Determination of Thermophysical Properties of Fluid Metals by Wire-Explosion Experiments

Wire explosion experiments were used to obtain thermophysical properties of tungsten. These properties are specific heat, thermal expansion coefficient, compressibility, and electrical and thermal conductivities and their dependences on temperature. There are strong indications that the emissivity in the liquid range should be dependent on temperature. A proposal has been made for determining the emissivity from comparison of experiments with model calculations. The temperature range is extended up to 10,000 K, and first indications for the near-critical-point behavior were obtained. Other properties such as diffusivity, viscosity, and surface tension may possibly also be derived in this range.