液压技术与挖掘机的发展动向

近年来,挖掘机越来热门的变化要点有：在城市中使用率增加;对环境的关心增加;对控制性的要求更高。在此对这些焦点以液压技术发展的眼光叙述有关挖掘机及对应的液压机器产品的动向。     

Therapeutic Effects of Quetiapine and 5-HT1A Receptor Agonism on Hyperactivity in Dopamine-Deficient Mice

Some diseases that are associated with dopamine deficiency are accompanied by psychiatric symptoms, including Parkinson’s disease. However, the mechanism by which this occurs has not been clarified. Previous studies found that dopamine-deficient (DD) mice exhibited hyperactivity in a novel environment. This hyperactivity is improved by clozapine and donepezil, which are used to treat psychiatric symptoms associated with dopamine deficiency (PSDD). We considered that DD mice could be used to study PSDD. In the present study, we sought to identify the pharmacological mechanism of PSDD. We conducted locomotor activity tests by administering quetiapine and drugs that have specific actions on serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) receptors and muscarinic receptors. Changes in neuronal activity that were induced by drug administration in DD mice were evaluated by examining Fos immunoreactivity. Quetiapine suppressed hyperactivity in DD mice while the 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 inhibited this effect. The number of Fos-positive neurons in the median raphe nucleus increased in DD mice that exhibited hyperactivity and was decreased by treatment with quetiapine and 5-HT_1A receptor agonists. In conclusion, hyperactivity in DD mice was ameliorated by quetiapine, likely through 5-HT_1A receptor activation. These findings suggest that 5-HT_1A receptors may play a role in PSDD, and 5-HT_1A receptor-targeting drugs may help improve PSDD.     

A Study on a Surface Preparation Method for Single-Crystal SiC Using an Fe Catalyst

In this study we investigated the possibility of removing and flattening a single-crystal silicon carbide (SiC) surface by a novel polishing method utilizing hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals) generated on an Fe catalyst surface. To demonstrate the feasibility of preparing a smooth SiC surface, an Fe catalyst and a SiC substrate were rubbed together in H₂O₂ solution, and then the area on the SiC surface that had come into contact with the Fe catalyst was observed in detail. The removal depth and surface microroughness were measured and evaluated using a phase-shift interference microscope and an atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. Moreover, the removal of material from the SiC surface by utilizing an Fe catalyst rod was examined. The obtained results show that the hard SiC surface can be effectively polished and that the processed area on the SiC surface has atomic-level smoothness along the sliding direction. Moreover, it is shown that the removal characteristics of the SiC substrate depend on process parameters such as the process time, rotation speed, contact load, and concentration of H₂O₂ solution. These results provide useful information for preparing an atomically smooth SiC surface.     

Influence of domain orientation on the mechanical properties of lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramics

The influence of domain orientation on the mechanical properties of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoelectric ceramics has been investigated using un-poled and poled PZT ceramics. High mechanical properties, e.g., high elastic modulus and compressive strength, were obtained for the polarized PZT ceramics due to strain hardening caused by more severe domain switching during the loading process, while low mechanical properties for the un-poled ceramics. Fracture mechanics of the ceramics were influenced by the direction of the tetragonal lattice structure since cracks propagate along the long axis of the tetragonal structure (c-axis). Using X-ray diffraction and electron back scatter diffraction analysis, the domain switching characteristics could be clarified.     

Thermal properties and dielectric relaxation of a multi‐component poly(ether‐co‐amide) based on polyamide‐12

DSC, dielectric relaxation and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) were carried out on two multi‐component poly(ether‐co‐amide) samples having different weight ratios of polyamide prepared by condensation polymerization with 12‐aminododecanoic acid, adipic acid and polyetherdiamine consisting of poly(tetramethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide). The melting temperature was lowered by an increase in the weight ratio of the polyamide segment. Three relaxation modes, α′, α_s and β, were found from dielectric relaxation measurements in different temperature ranges. The high temperature relaxation mode, α′, has a large dielectric constant, which disappears at the melting temperature of the polyamide crystal in the sample. The relaxation times for the segmental motion, α_s, were different for the samples, which is attributed to the difference in the composition of the uncrystallized polyamide segments in the amorphous domain. The glass transition temperature estimated from DMTA is located between those of constituting polymers. On the other hand, the activation energy of β‐mode observed at low temperatures is the same for samples with different polyamide ratios, which is attributed to the local motion of the polyether segments. The uncrystallized polyamide segments are miscible with the polyether segments, which results in a lowering of the glass transition temperature of the amorphous domain and enlarges the temperature range of the rubber state of the copolymer due to the high melting temperature of the polyamide segments. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modeling Intestinal Stem Cell Function with Organoids

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are crucial for the digestive process and nutrient absorption. The intestinal epithelium is composed of the different cell types of the small intestine (mainly, enterocytes, goblet cells, Paneth cells, enteroendocrine cells, and tuft cells). The small intestine is characterized by the presence of crypt-villus units that are in a state of homeostatic cell turnover. Organoid technology enables an efficient expansion of intestinal epithelial tissue in vitro. Thus, organoids hold great promise for use in medical research and in the development of new treatments. At present, the cholinergic system involved in IECs and intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are attracting a great deal of attention. Thus, understanding the biological processes triggered by epithelial cholinergic activation by acetylcholine (ACh), which is produced and released from neuronal and/or non-neuronal tissue, is of key importance. Cholinergic signaling via ACh receptors plays a pivotal role in IEC growth and differentiation. Here, we discuss current views on neuronal innervation and non-neuronal control of the small intestinal crypts and their impact on ISC proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance. Since technology using intestinal organoid culture systems is advancing, we also outline an organoid-based organ replacement approach for intestinal diseases.     

Approximate linear amplitude model based algorithm for measuring power system frequency

A novel algorithm for measuring the power system frequency during a very short time is presented in this paper, based on an approximate linear current amplitude model. The presented measuring frequency algorithm is used to get the instantaneous value of the parameter accurately. In the algorithm, the amplitudes of four consecutive sampled currents are supposed to be linear. After rigorous mathematical deduction, including Taylor series expansion and the geometric proportion theorem, the instantaneous frequency could be derived. The errors arising from the linearization in the model are analyzed qualitatively, and then the errors of A/D conversion and Taylor series expansion are considered. By the proposed technique, the measured frequency can be derived easily, quickly, and accurately, without any digital filters. The results after simulation show that the proposed algorithm has high accuracy and noise immunity during power swings and in the normal state. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Electrical Conductivity and Ferromagnetism in a Reduced Graphene–Metal Oxide Hybrid

The rare coexistence of ferromagnetism and electrical conductivity is observed in the reduced graphene oxide–metal oxide hybrids, rGO‐Co, rGO‐Ni, and rGO‐Fe, using chemical reduction with hydrazine or ultraviolet photoirradiation of the graphene oxide–metal complexes, GO‐Co, GO‐Ni, and GO‐Fe. The starting and final materials are characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. In contrast to graphene, where the electrical conductivity and magnetic properties are controlled by carrier (electron or hole) doping, those of graphene oxide can be controlled by complexation with Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Fe³⁺ cations through the strong electrostatic affinity of negatively charged graphene oxide towards metal cations. The presence of ferromagnetism and electrical conductivity in these hybrids can promote significant applications including magnetic switching and data storage.     

Matrix remodeling and cytological changes during spontaneous cartilage repair

During the repair of articular cartilage, type I collagen (COL1)-based fibrous tissues change into a mixture of COL1 and type II collagen (COL2) and finally form hyaline cartilaginous tissues consisting of COL2. In order to elucidate the changes that occur in the matrix during cartilage repair and the roles of fibroblasts and chondrocytes in this process, we generated a minimal cartilage defect model that could be spontaneously repaired. Defects of 0.3?mm were created on the patellofemoral articular cartilage of rats using an Er:YAG laser and were observed histologically, ultrastructurally and histochemically. At week 2 after this operation, fibroblastic cells were found to be surrounded by COL1 throughout the area of the defect. These cells became acid phosphatase positive by week 4, both taking in and degrading collagen fibrils. Thereafter, the cells became rounded, with both COL1 and 2 evident in the matrix, and showed immunolocalized matrix metalloproteinase-1 or -9. In the region of the bone marrow, the cells became hypertrophic and were surrounded mainly by COL2 and proteoglycans. By the eighth week, the cartilaginous matrix was found to contain abundant COL2, in which collagen fibrils of various diameters were arranged irregularly. These morphological changes suggested that the fibroblastic cells both produce and resolve the matrix and undertake remodeling to become chondrocytes by converting from a COL1- into a COL2-dominant matrix. This process eventually forms new articular cartilage, but this is not completely identical to normal articular cartilage at the ultrastructural level.     

Development and characteristics of servomotor for use under high temperature and radiation flux conditions

Recently, robots have been required to inspect the insides of nuclear reactors under high temperature and radiation flux conditions. In a FBR (fast breeder reactor), the viewing system of the robot is particularly important because the reactor vessel of the FBR is filled with opaque liquid sodium. To drive this robot, servomotors must meet special requirements. At temperatures above 220°C, the integrity of organic materials cannot be maintained for long periods. In addition, the air-gap length of the motor varies, because metals expand at high temperatures. Thus, the characteristics of induction motors with an air-gap length of 0.2–0.4 mm may vary. Furthermore, the rotor may come into contact with the stator. In this paper, a newly developed permanent magnet motor which can withstand high temperatures and radiation is presented, and the characteristics of the rotor at high temperatures are discussed. Coils for winding ceramic magnetic wires are installed in the stator and Sm₂Co₁₇ permanent magnets are embedded in the rotor yoke. This motor is suitable for use at up to 400°C due to the use of inorganic materials in it. In addition, the permanent magnet motor can incorporate a long air-gap length, which has little effect on the characteristics of the motor. The test results show that the motor has excellent characteristics at high temperature. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 119(4): 52–65, 1997