Clinical and serological study of tsutsugamushi disease in northern Osumi, Kagoshima Prefecture

We report 34 cases of tsutsugamushi disease seen from 1989 to 1993 at Yagi Clinic, northern Osumi, Kagoshima Prefecture. Nineteen patients (55.9%) showed the highest antibody titers against the Kawasaki strain Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) and 13 (38.2%) against the Kuroki strain Ot. It is suggested that two antigenic types (Kawasaki and Kuroki) of Ot were distributed in Kagoshima Prefecture, and the Kawasaki type Ot more or less dominates Kuroki type Ot. There was no difference in clinical features between the two groups of patients.     

Electrophysiological studies of rat substantia nigra neurons in an in vitro slice preparation after middle cerebral artery occlusion

We studied sequential changes in electrophysiological profiles of the ipsilateral substantia nigra neurons in an in vitro slice preparation obtained from the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats. Histological examination revealed marked atrophy and neurodegeneration in the ipsilateral substantia nigra pars reticulata at 14 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Compared with the control group, there was no significant change in electrical membrane properties and synaptic responses of substantia nigra pars reticulata neurons examined at one to two weeks after middle cerebral artery occlusion. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the input resistance and spontaneous firing rate of substantia nigra pars compacta neurons at 13-16 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Furthermore, inhibitory postsynaptic potentials evoked by stimulation of the subthalamus in substantia nigra pars compacta neurons was suppressed at five to eight days after middle cerebral artery occlusion. At the same time excitatory postsynaptic potentials evoked by the subthalamic stimulation was increased. Bath application of bicuculline methiodide (50 microM), a GABA(A) receptor antagonist, significantly increased the firing rate of substantia nigra pars compacta neurons from intact rats. These results strongly suggest that changes in electrophysiological responses observed in substantia nigra pars compacta neurons is caused by degeneration of GABAergic afferents from the substantia nigra pars reticulata following middle cerebral artery occlusion. While previous studies indirectly suggested that hyperexcitation due to deafferentation from the neostriatum may be a major underlying mechanism in delayed degeneration of substantia nigra pars reticulata neurons after middle cerebral artery occlusion, the present electrophysiological experiments provide evidence of hyperexcitation in substantia nigra pars compacta neurons but not in pars reticulata neurons at the chronic phase of striatal infarction.     

往复式压缩机管道的防振设计

分析了往复式压缩机管道产生振动的原因及影响因素,提出解决管道振动的方法及对策。     

Compatibility of alkaline earth metal (Mg, Ca, Sr)-doped lanthanum chromites as separators in planar-type high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of alkaline earth metal (Mg, Ca and Sr)-doped LaCrO₃ have been examined as separators in planar-type high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The maximum three-point bending strength at 1000°C in air was measured and found to be 186 MPa for LaCr_0.9Mg_0.1O₃, 36 MPa for La_0.9Ca_0.1CrO₃ and 77 MPa for La_0.9Sr_0.1CrO₃. The La_0.8Sr_0.2CrO₃ separator placed in both an oxidizing and a reducing environment at 1000°C showed almost the same electrical conductivities of the H₂ atmosphere, and the conductivity was independent of sample thickness in the range 0.5–3.0 mm. For all the doped LaCrO₃ perovskites, a difference between the thermal expansion behaviours of air and the H₂ atmosphere was observed. In particular, the thermal expansion slope for the first heating cycle under the H₂ atmosphere showed a marked change. The volume changes were due to the formation of oxygen defects in the perovskite structure. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于神经PID网络的串级调节系统研究

本文提出了一种神经PID网络控制器，并利用它构成串级调节系统。在给出网络结构和计算公式的基础上，进行了计算机仿真。仿真结果表明，神经PID网络控制器构成的串级调节系统具有良好的动态和静态性能及很强的抗扰能力。     

Slot-coupled microstrip antenna with a triplate line feed whereparallel-plate mode is suppressed

In a slot-coupled microstrip antenna with a triplate line feed, the parallel-plate mode is excited by the slot, resulting in a decrease of radiation efficiency. The authors present a technique for suppressing the parallel-plate mode in this type of the antenna. Measured results confirm the effective performance of the proposed method     

Volumetric properties of mixtures of 1,4-dioxane and water at high pressures

Densities of aqueous of 1,4-dioxane have been measured at temperatures from 298 to 348 K and at pressures up to 40 MPa by a vibrating-tube method. Molar volumes obtained with an estimated uncertainty of ±0.2°,% are correlated with pressure by the Tait equation within the experimental uncertainty. Pressure and composition dependences of the excess molar volume, partial molar volume, and isothermal compressibility are determined and they are compared with those of other aqueous solutions.     

Lipopolysaccharide primes human alveolar macrophages for enhanced release of superoxide anion and leukotriene B4: self-limitations of the priming response with protein synthesis

Human alveolar macrophages (AM) can produce potent reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) and arachidonic acid metabolites (eicosanoids), which have important roles in host defense and the pathogenesis of some diseases of the lung. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is believed to cause profound lung injury and can prime mouse peritoneal macrophages for the enhanced secretion of ROI and eicosanoids. Therefore, we investigated the effect of LPS pretreatment on the ability of AM to release superoxide anions (O2-) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). LPS can prime AM for the enhanced secretion of O2- and LTB4, regardless of whether they are derived from nonsmokers or smokers. Moreover, judging from the time-response characteristics, this priming for LTB4 release could be inhibited in the later stages of pretreatment, when the O2(-)-releasing capacity was enhanced. The priming inhibition was prevented, at least in part, by cycloheximide, but not by SOD and/or catalase. In addition, cycloheximide also inhibited the priming for O2- release. Hence, protein synthesis might be necessary for the priming for O2- release and for inhibiting the priming for LTB4 release. This phenomenon of self-limiting the priming response with LPS seems to be very important when we consider the high oxygen tension in the lungs and the many bacterial substances inspired into alveoli.     

城市加油站的防火与消防管理

介绍汽车加油站在防火设计与消防管理方面需注意的问题，主要包括站址选择、总平面布置、油罐设置、管线布置、卸油方式等方面，同时对加油站的日常操作与防火消防管理提出了要求。